Delivery of Doxorubicin from Biodegradable PEG Hydrogels Having Schiff Base Linkages†

In our quest to develop new drug delivery systems, we designed and synthesized PEG-conjugates and PEG-hydrogels with a degradable linkage to the drug. Specifically, methoxyPEG-doxorubicin (MPEG-CH=N-Doxo) and doxorubicin-PEG aldehyde (OHC-PEG-CH=N-Doxo) conjugates, plus poly (vinyl amine)-PEG-doxorubicin (PVAm-PEG-Doxo) hydrogels were prepared. The hydrogels were crosslinked by PEG-Schiff base linkages, and the Doxo was conjugated to the gel by pendant Schiff base bonds (PVAm-N=CH-PEG-CH=N-Doxo). The release profile of Doxo from the hydrogels was dependent on pH and on the ratio of PVAm to the PEG-dialdehyde crosslinker. These degradable PEG hydrogels could be good candidates for slow release of Doxo from subcutaneous or IM implants.