Dual functionality of conjugated polymer nanoparticles as an anticancer drug carrier and a fluorescent probe for cell imaging

Abstract

Multifunctional nanoparticles based on a green emitting, hydrophobic conjugated polymer, poly[(9,9-bis{propeny}fluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(1,4-benzo-{2, 1,3}-thiodiazole)] (PPFBT), that acts both as a fluorescent reporter and a matrix to accommodate an anti-cancer compound, camptothecin (CPT), were prepared, characterized and their potential as a fluorescent probe for cell imaging and as a drug delivery vehicle were evaluated via in vitro cell assays. The cell viability of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Huh7) was investigated in the absence and presence of CPT with sulforhodamine B (SRB) and real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES) cytotoxicity assays. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry

pH‐responsive near‐infrared emitting conjugated polymer nanoparticles for cellular imaging and controlled‐drug delivery

“…If we investigate the behaviors of CPT and CPT delivered by nanoparticles with different concentrations, CPT as we observed in our previous study, becomes rapidly effective in the cell growth inhibition even at the lowest concentration (0.1 µM) and shorter time (48 h). However, in both concentrations the growth inhibition is slower than free CPT confirming the slow release feature of the nanoparticles supported by in vitro drug release studies in different pHs.…”

“…Nanoparticles were prepared by a simple reprecipitation method as reported in the literature . Briefly, polymer solution in THF is injected into a large excess of water under sonication and by the removal of the THF under reduced pressure, stable nanoparticles are obtained.…”

“…However, the changes are not huge indicating that the structural integrity of the nanoparticles is not affected when they are loaded with drug. The reason could also be attributed to the π‐π interactions between the aromatic conjugated backbone of the polymer chains and the aromatic rings of the CPT molecules, causing a close packing of the drug molecules …”

“…In the in vivo studies, the biodistribution profile of these nanoparticles after 72 h postinjection showed uptake in the tumorous tissue as well as liver and the spleen indicating that they could be cleared out from the body through liver . Although the use of conjugated polymer nanoparticles for dual delivery of therapeutic agents and cell imaging offers many advantages, this strategy is largely unexplored and there are few reports relating to this concept . For instance, the inherent fluorescence of the conjugated polymers could eliminate the need for an imaging agent in the designed delivery vehicle thus making the system less complicated.…”

Cancer‐Targeted Nanotheranostics: Recent Advances and Perspectives

“…Recently, the stimuli‐responsive polymer‐drug conjugates have been developed for controlling the drug release . Other efforts have been put on the integration of multiple therapeutic or imaging agents to improve the theranostic effect . N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide copolymer conjugating self‐quenched Cy5 and paclitaxel achieved real‐time intravital orthotopic monitoring through the activation of the fluorophore upon enzymatic degradation .…”