Enhancing the tumor penetration of multiarm polymers by collagenase modification

Biomater Sci. 2024 Apr 30;12(9):2302-2311. doi: 10.1039/d3bm02123h.

Abstract

Tumor penetration is a critical determinant of the therapy efficacy of nanomedicines. However, the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors significantly hampers the deep penetration of nanomedicines, resulting in large drug-untouchable areas and unsatisfactory therapy efficacy. Herein, we synthesized a third-generation PAMAM-cored multiarm copolymer and modified the polymer with collagenase to enhance its tumor penetration. Each arm of the copolymer was a diblock copolymer of poly(glutamic acid)-b-poly(carboxybetaine), in which the polyglutamic acid block with abundant side groups was used to link the anticancer agent doxorubicin through the pH-sensitive acylhydrazone linkage, and the zwitterionic poly(carboxybetaine) block provided desired water solubility and anti-biofouling capability. The collagenase was conjugated to the ends of the arms via the thiol-maleimide reaction. We demonstrated that the polymer-bound collagenase could effectively catalyze the degradation of the collagen in the tumor ECM, and consequently augmented the tumor penetration and antitumor efficacy of the drug-loaded polymers.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Collagenases* / metabolism
  • Doxorubicin* / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin* / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin* / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Polyglutamic Acid / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / metabolism

Substances

  • Collagenases
  • Doxorubicin
  • Polymers
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Polyglutamic Acid
  • Drug Carriers