Alginate-Based Amphiphilic Block Copolymers as a Drug Codelivery Platform

Abstract

Structured nanoassemblies are biomimetic structures that are enabling applications from nanomedicine to catalysis. One approach to achieve these spatially organized architectures is utilizing amphiphilic diblock copolymers with one or two macromolecular backbones that self-assemble in solution. To date, the impact of alternating backbone architectures on self-assembly and drug delivery is still an area of active research limited by the strategies used to synthesize these multiblock polymers. Here, we report self-assembling ABC-type alginate-based triblock copolymers with the backbones of three distinct biomaterials utilizing a facile conjugation approach. This “polymer mosaic” was synthesized by the covalent attachment of alginate with a PLA/PEG diblock copolymer. The combination of alginate, PEG, and PLA domains resulted in an amphiphilic copolymer that self-assembles into nanoparticles with a unique morphology of alginate domain compartmentalization. These particles serve as a versatile platform for co-encapsulation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic small molecules, their spatiotemporal release, and show potential as a drug delivery system for combination therapy.

In Situ Sprayed Exosome-Cross-Linked Gel as Artificial Lymph Nodes for Postoperative Glioblastoma Immunotherapy

“…Alginate was chosen as the base material for this artificial LN system because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and widespread use as a three-dimensional (3D) structure for cell culture. , According to the documented method, dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO)-modified branched alginic acid (DBCO-bALG) was synthesized . To obtain the DC-tumor exosomes (DT-Exos) modified with azide groups (N 3 -DT-Exos), we prepared the DC-tumor hybrid cells (Figure S1) and conducted the surface editing through the N -azidoacetylmannosamine-tetraacetylated (Ac 4 ManNAz)-mediated metabolic glycoengineering pathway.…”

A Sodium Alginate‐Based Multifunctional Nanoplatform for Synergistic Chemo‐Immunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…ALG as an anionic polysaccharide has been previously reported to undergo metal ions‐triggered self‐assembly into various nano objects, including vesicles, micelles, and rods. [ 16 ] The previously reported approach was used here to produce self‐assembled nano micelles based on BEACNDOX and ASACNDOX (Experimental Section 3.3, Supporting Information). Briefly, a mixed solution of Ca(OH) 2 and NaHCO 3 was added to the BEACNDOX solution via a micro‐drop method.…”

Responsive Hydrogels Based on Triggered Click Reactions for Liver Cancer

“…[ 84 ] Nanocomposite responsive hydrogels are usually hydrated polymeric interactions, so most are assembled through noncovalent linkages or covalent bonds. [ 85 ] Typically, hydrogels are formed by cross‐linking molecular chains dispersed in water‐based solutions through different mechanisms, including physical and chemical cross‐linking. [ 86 ] Therefore, a self‐contained nanocomposite responsive hydrogel is established if only one building block is successfully assembled, while the remaining components can act as network fillers.…”