Many chemotherapeutic drugs are small, hydrophobic molecules that require water-soluble, biocompatible nanocarriers for enhanced vascular circulation. Existing polymeric carriers either conjugate the drug along a copolymer backbone or sequester drugs within a protected interior domain to be delivered to specific sites in the body. Such therapeutic systems must overcome a myriad of hurdles, beginning with complex, multi-step syntheses, followed by other inherent barriers that limit the efficiency of drug delivery at the targeted site. This work aims to circumvent a number of these issues using biocompatible, stimuli-responsive polysoaps that are capable of unimeric micelle formation, hydrophobic drug delivery, and triggered release, regardless of dilution effects. These copolymers are prepared via RAFT copolymerization of N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) and dodecyl disulfide propyl methacrylamide (DDPMA). This presentation will address the parameters necessary for micelle self-assembly, responsive behavior in aqueous media, and the capacity for sequestration and subsequent triggered release. The facile synthesis of these polysoaps and their ability to function at high dilution are promising indicators of their utility in future applications.

Responsive “polysoaps” via RAFT copolymerization to serve as therapeutic drug delivery vehicles

255th National Meeting (2018)

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