Molecular biorecognition forms the basis for the design of precisely defined smart systems, including targeted therapeutics, imaging agents, stimuli-sensitive and self-assembled biomaterials, and biosensors. Biorecognition of complementary motifs (peptides1 or peptide nucleic acids/DNA2) mediates the self-assembly of graft copolymers into 3D hydrogels by the formation of physical crosslinks. The research of self-assembled hydrogels inspired the invention and design of drug-free macromolecular therapeutics (DFMT) – a new paradigm in nanomedicine where crosslinking of slowly internalizating receptors results in apoptosis of Raji B cells in vitro, in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma animal models,3 and in patient cells with a variety of B cell malignancies.4 In the presentation, recent progress in exploring the mechanism of action of DFMT will be discussed. This unique strategy, combined with the newly developed long-circulating polymer-drug conjugates5 offers numerous advantages to overcome rituximab-resistance in diseased cells and tissues.6 DFMT is a new concept, where the biological activity is based on the biorecognition of complementary motifs at cell surface.

Biorecognition: Bridge from self-assembled hydrogels to drug-free macromolecular therapeutics

2019 Fall National Meeting

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