Phenylboronic Acid-Functionalized Copolypeptides: Facile Synthesis and Responsive Dual Anticancer Drug Release

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Jul 11;23(7):2989-2998. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00482. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Abstract

The incorporation of a phenylboronic acid group has appeared as an attractive strategy to build smart drug delivery systems. Here, we report novel synthesis of phenylboronic acid-functionalized copolypeptides based on an l-boronophenylalanine N-carboxyanhydride (BPA-NCA) monomer and their application for robust co-encapsulation and responsive release of dual anticancer drugs. By employing different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) initiators and copolymerizing with varying NCA monomers, linear and star PEG-poly(l-boronophenylalanine) copolymers (PEG-PBPA, star-PEG-PBPA), PEG-poly(l-tyrosine-co-l-boronophenylalanine) [PEG-P(Tyr-co-BPA)], PEG-poly(l-lysine-co-l-boronophenylalanine) [PEG-P(Lys-co-BPA)], and PEG-poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate-co-l-boronophenylalanine) [PEG-P(BLA-co-BPA)] were obtained with controlled compositions. Interestingly, PEG-PBPA self-assembled into uniform micellar nanoparticles that mediated robust co-encapsulation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and acid-responsive release of dual antitumor drugs, curcumin (Cur) and sorafenib tosylate (Sor). These dual drug-loaded nanoparticles (PBN-Cur/Sor) exhibited a greatly enhanced anticancer effect toward U87 MG-luciferase glioblastoma cells. The facile synthesis of phenylboronic acid-functionalized copolypeptides from BPA coupled with their robust drug loading and responsive drug release behaviors make them interesting for construction of smart cancer nanomedicines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Boronic Acids
  • Curcumin* / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Micelles
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Boronic Acids
  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Curcumin
  • benzeneboronic acid