Cyclic Peptide-Polymer Nanotubes as Efficient and Highly Potent Drug Delivery Systems for Organometallic Anticancer Complexes

Sophie C. Larnaudie, Johannes C. Brendel, Isolda Romero-Canelón, Carlos Sanchez-Cano, Sylvain Catrouillet, Joaquin Sanchis, James P.C. Coverdale, Ji Inn Song, Abraha Habtemariam, Peter J. Sadler, Katrina A. Jolliffe, Sébastien Perrier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

82 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Functional drug carrier systems have potential for increasing solubility and potency of drugs while reducing side effects. Complex polymeric materials, particularly anisotropic structures, are especially attractive due to their long circulation times. Here, we have conjugated cyclic peptides to the biocompatible polymer poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide) (pHPMA). The resulting conjugates were functionalized with organoiridium anticancer complexes. Small angle neutron scattering and static light scattering confirmed their self-assembly and elongated cylindrical shape. Drug-loaded nanotubes exhibited more potent antiproliferative activity toward human cancer cells than either free drug or the drug-loaded polymers, while the nanotubes themselves were nontoxic. Cellular accumulation studies revealed that the increased potency of the conjugate appears to be related to a more efficient mode of action rather than a higher cellular accumulation of iridium.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)239-247
Number of pages9
JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jan 2018

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