PMSE 172 |
| Polymer materials have been widely used in the biomedical area. In particular, micelles self-assembled from amphiphilic copolymers have emerged recently as promising carriers for targeting chemotherapeutics to cancers to minimize side effects caused by their non-specific uptake by healthy tissues. Drug targeting to cancers can be achieved by attaching a biological signal, which can recognize cancer cells, to the shell of the micelles. In this study, a pH- and temperature-sensitive amphiphilic copolymer was synthesized, and further conjugated with folic acid that can recognize cancer cells expressing folate receptors. This polymer was self-assembled into multi-functional micelles to incorporate paclitaxel, an anticancer drug. The enclosed drug was able to escape from the endosomes to enter the cytosol of its pharmacological activities, and the cellular uptake of the micelles was greater when compared to those without folic acid, providing better cell killing efficiency. These micelles may make a promising carrier for targeted intracellular delivery of paclitaxel for better cancer therapy. |
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Polymers for Biomedical Applications
8:30 AM-12:10 PM, Tuesday, 12 September 2006 San Francisco Marriott -- Salon B1, Oral
Division of Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering |