Biodegradable Block Copolymer-Doxorubicin Conjugates via Different Linkages: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation

Doxorubicin (Dox) was conjugated onto a biodegradable block copolymer methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactide-co-2,2-dihydroxymethylpropylene carbonate (mPEG-b-P(LA-co-DHP)) via a carbamate linkage and an acid-labile hydrazone linkage, respectively. Mutifunctional mixed micelles consisting of Dox-containing copolymer mPEG-b-P(LA-co-DHP/Dox) and folic acid-containing copolymer mPEG-b-P(LA-co-DHP/FA) were successfully prepared by coassembling the two component copolymers. The mixed micelles had well-defined core shell structure and their diameters were in the range of 70-100 nm. Both Dox-conjugates (via carbamate or hydrazone linkage) showed pH-dependent release behavior, and the micelles with hydrazone linkage showed more pH-sensitivity compared to those with carbamate linkage. The in vitro cell uptake experiment by CLSM and flow cytometry showed preferential internalization of FA-containing micelles by human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 than that without FA. Flow cytometric analysis was conducted to reveal the enhanced cell apoptosis caused by the FA-containing micelles. These results suggested that these micelles containing both chemotherapeutic and targeting ligand could be a promising nanocarrier for targeting the drugs to cancer cells and releasing the drug molecules inside the cancer cells.