Search results for " DRUG DELIVERY"
showing 10 items of 195 documents
Comparison of Active and Passive Targeting of Docetaxel for Prostate Cancer Therapy by HPMA Copolymer–RGDfK Conjugates
2011
N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-docetaxel-RGDfK conjugate was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated in vitro and in vivo in comparison with untargeted low and high molecular weight HPMA copolymer-docetaxel conjugates. The targeted conjugate was designed to have a hydrodynamic diameter below renal threshold to allow elimination post treatment. All conjugates demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of DU145 and PC3 human prostate cancer cells and the HUVEC at low nanomolar concentrations. The targeted conjugate showed active binding to α(v)β(3) integrins in both HUVEC and DU145 cells, whereas the untargeted conjugate demonstrated no evidence of specific binding. …
A New Hyaluronic Acid Derivative Obtained from Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization as a siRNA Vector for CD44 Receptor Tumor Targeting.
2015
Two derivatives of hyaluronic acid (HA) have been synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), starting from an ethylenediamino HA derivative (HA-EDA) and by using diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) as a monomer for polymerization. Both samples, indicated as HA-EDA-pDEAEMA a and b, are able to condense siRNA, as determined by gel retardation assay and resulting complexes show a size and a zeta potential value dependent on polymerization number, as determined by dynamic light scattering measurements. In vitro studies performed on HCT 116 cell line, that over express CD44 receptor, demonstrate a receptor mediated uptake of complexes, regardless of their surface charge. New…
Densely PEGylated polybenzofulvene brushes for potential applications in drug encapsulation
2018
The technique of grafting side chains onto a linear polymeric backbone is commonly used to confer to the new polymeric material with desired properties, such as tunable solubility, ionic charge, biocompatibility, or specific interactions with biological systems. In this paper, two new polybenzofulvene backbones were assembled by spontaneous polymerization of the appropriate benzofulvene monomers (4,6-PO-BF3k and 4&rsquo
Folic acid-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets via plasma etching as a platform to combine NIR anticancer phototherapy and targeted drug deliver…
2020
PEGylated graphene oxide (GO) has shown potential as NIR converting agent to produce local heat useful in breast cancer therapy, since its suitable photothermal conversion, high stability in physiological fluids, biocompatibility and huge specific surface. GO is an appealing nanomaterial for potential clinical applications combining drug delivery and photothermal therapy in a single nano-device capable of specifically targeting breast cancer cells. However, native GO sheets have large dimensions (0.5-5 mu m) such that tumor accumulation after a systemic administration is usually precluded. Herein, we report a step-by-step synthesis of folic acid-functionalized PEGylated GO, henceforth named…
Ionizing radiation-engineered nanogels as insulin nanocarriers for the development of a new strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
2016
A growing body of evidence shows the protective role of insulin in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A nanogel system (NG) to deliver insulin to the brain, as a tool for the development of a new therapy for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), is designed and synthetized. A carboxyl-functionalized poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) nanogel system produced by ionizing radiation is chosen as substrate for the covalent attachment of insulin or fluorescent molecules relevant for its characterization. Biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of the naked carrier is demonstrated. The insulin conjugated to the NG (NG-In) is protected by protease degradation and able to bind to insulin receptor (IR), as demonstrated by immunofl…
DNA Block Copolymer Micelles – A Combinatorial Tool for Cancer Nanotechnology
2008
Selective drug targeting of a specific organ or tissue is a challenging task. This holds especially true for chemotherapeutic cancer treatment because most of the available anticancer agents cannot distinguish between cancerous and healthy cells, leading to systemic toxicity and undesirable side effects. One effective approach to address this problem is the application of polymeric nanoparticles equipped with targeting units for tumor-specific delivery. For instance dendrimers, highly branched macromolecules, can be equipped with targeting units as well as with anticancer drugs because of their large number of surface functionalities. Amphiphilic block copolymers, which self-assemble in dil…
Amphiphilic polyaspartamide copolymer-based micelles for rivastigmine delivery to neuronal cells
2012
A novel polysorbate-80 (PS(80))-attached amphiphilic copolymer comprising a hydrophilic α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-D,L-aspartamide (PHEA) backbone and hydrophobic squalenyl-C(17) (Sq(17)) portions was synthesized and characterized; the formation of polymeric micelles was also evaluated. Rivastigmine free-base (Riv), a hydrophobic drug employed to treat Alzheimer's disease, was chosen as model drug to investigate micelle's ability to incorporate hydrophobic molecules and target them to neuronal cells. Micelle formation was studied through analyses including fluorescence spectroscopy and 2D (1)H-NMR NOESY experiments. Finally, the capacity of Riv-loaded micelles, versus free drug, to penetrat…
Micro- to Nanoscale Bio-Hybrid Hydrogels Engineered by Ionizing Radiation
2021
Bio-hybrid hydrogels consist of a water-swollen hydrophilic polymer network encapsulating or conjugating single biomolecules, or larger and more complex biological constructs like whole cells. By modulating at least one dimension of the hydrogel system at the micro- or nanoscale, the activity of the biological component can be extremely upgraded with clear advantages for the development of therapeutic or diagnostic micro- and nano-devices. Gamma or e-beam irradiation of polymers allow a good control of the chemistry at the micro-/nanoscale with minimal recourse to toxic reactants and solvents. Another potential advantage is to obtain simultaneous sterilization when the absorbed doses are wi…
Hybrid supramolecular gels of Fmoc-F/halloysite nanotubes: Systems for sustained release of camptothecin
2017
Supramolecular gel hybrids obtained by self-assembly of Fmoc-L-phenylalanine (Fmoc-F) in the presence of functionalized halloysite nanotubes (f-HNT) were obtained in biocompatible solvents and employed as carriers for the delivery of camptothecin (CPT) molecules. The synthesis of the new f-HNT material as well as its characterization are described. The properties of the hybrid hydrogels and organogels were analyzed by several techniques. The presence of small amounts of f-HNT allows good dispersion of the tubes and the subsequent formation of homogeneous gels. The experimental results show that f-HNT functions only as an additive in the hybrid gels and does not demonstrate gelator behavior.…
Engineering of Nanofibrous Amorphous and Crystalline Solid Dispersions for Oral Drug Delivery
2018
Poor aqueous solubility (<0.1 mg/mL) affects a significant number of drugs currently on the market or under development. Several formulation strategies including salt formation, particle size reduction, and solid dispersion approaches have been employed with varied success. In this review, we focus primarily on the emerging trends in the generation of amorphous and micro/nano-crystalline solid dispersions using electrospinning to improve the dissolution rate and in turn the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Electrospinning is a simple but versatile process that utilizes electrostatic forces to generate polymeric fibers and has been used for over 100 years to generate synthet…