Synthesis of Polyethylene Glycol-Poly(glycerol carbonate) Block Copolymeric Micelles as Surfactant-Free Drug Delivery Systems

ACS Macro Lett. 2023 Jul 18;12(7):974-979. doi: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00275. Epub 2023 Jun 30.

Abstract

We report the synthesis of block copolymers of monomethoxylated polyethylene glycol and poly(glycerol carbonate) (mPEG-b-PGC) via the ring-opening polymerization of benzyl glycidyl ether, monomethoxylated polyethylene glycol, and carbon dioxide using a cobalt salen catalyst. The resulting block copolymers display high polymer/cyclic carbonate selectivity (>99%) and, if two oxirane monomers are used, random incorporation into the polymer feed. The resulting diblock mPEG-b-PGC polymer shows promise as a nanocarrier for surfactant-free, sustained chemotherapeutic delivery. mPEG-b-PGC, with paclitaxel conjugated to the pendant primary alcohol of the glycerol polymer backbone, readily forms 175 nm diameter particles in solution and contains 4.6 wt % paclitaxel (PTX), which is released over 42 days. The mPEG-b-PGC polymer itself is noncytotoxic, whereas the PTX-loaded nanoparticles are cytotoxic to lung, breast, and ovarian cancer cell lines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbonates
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Glycerol
  • Micelles*
  • Paclitaxel
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polymers
  • Pulmonary Surfactants*
  • Surface-Active Agents

Substances

  • monomethoxypolyethylene glycol
  • Micelles
  • Glycerol
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polymers
  • Paclitaxel
  • Pulmonary Surfactants
  • Carbonates