Preparation of Well-Defined Ibuprofen Prodrug Micelles by RAFT Polymerization

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat acute pain, fever, and inflammation and are being explored in a new indication in cancer. Side effects associated with long-term use of NSAIDs such as gastrointestinal damage and elevated risk of stroke, however, can limit their use and exploration in new indications. Here we report a facile method to prepare well-defined amphiphilic diblock copolymer NSAID prodrugs by direct reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization of the acrylamide derivative of ibuprofen (IBU), a widely used NSAID. The synthesis and self-assembling behavior of amphiphilic diblock copolymers (PEG-PIBU) having a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) block and a hydrophobic IBU-bearing prodrug block were investigated. Release profiles of IBU from the micelles by hydrolysis were evaluated. Furthermore, the antiproliferative action of the IBU-containing micelles in human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and murine melanoma (B16-F10) cells was assessed.