Synthesis of chitosan-PEO hydrogels via mesylation and regioselective Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition.

In this work, a well-defined hydrogel was developed by coupling chitosan with PEO through "click chemistry". Azide functionalities were introduced onto chitosan, through mesylation of C-6 hydroxyl groups, and reacted with a di-alkyne PEO by a regioselective Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition. This synthetic approach allowed us to obtain a hydrogel with a controlled crosslinking degree.

Nanocapsules based on linear and Y-shaped 3-miktoarm star-block PEO-PCL copolymers as sustained delivery system for hydrophilic molecules.

Well-defined amphiphilic Y-shaped miktoarm star-block copolymers of PEO and PCL were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone initiated by a PEO-bound lysine macroinitiator. The copolymers were characterized by (1)H NMR, SEC, DSC, and WAXD techniques. Separate PCL and PEO crystalline phases occur in melt-crystallized copolymers when their segmental lengths were comparable and the PCL content was ≤80 wt %.

Core-shell biodegradable nanoassemblies for the passive targeting of docetaxel: features, antiproliferative activity and in vivo toxicity.

Unlabelled: Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene oxide) were assembled in core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) by a melting-sonication technique (MeSo). The entrapment of the poorly water-soluble anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX), nanocarrier cytotoxicity toward different cells and toxicity in mice were investigated. The encapsulation mechanism was rationalized and related to copolymer properties such as crystallinity and drug solubility in the copolymer phase.

In vitro anticancer activity of docetaxel-loaded micelles based on poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) block copolymers: Do nanocarrier properties have a role?

In this paper we have investigated the behavior of core-shell poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEO-PCL) micelles derived from copolymers with linear triblock (TR) and 4-arm star-diblock (ST) architectures for the delivery of docetaxel (DTX). DTX was loaded inside micelles (DTX-TR(m) and DTX-ST(m)) with high efficiency and released slowly for more than two weeks. DTX-loaded micelles based on both copolymers had very similar properties in terms of mean size, zeta potential, loading ability and release rate in buffered saline.

Poly(ether ester amide) microspheres for protein delivery: influence of copolymer composition on technological and biological properties.

The production of PEEA microspheres with potential as carriers for protein oral delivery is described. PEEAs with different hydrophilicity were synthesized and characterized. Experiments showed that an increase in copolymer hydrophilicity gave particles less prone to cell interaction.

Micelles based on amphiphilic PCL-PEO triblock and star-shaped diblock copolymers: Potential in drug delivery applications.

In this work, the potential in drug nanodelivery of micelles made from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (ethyleneoxide) (PEO) copolymers with triblock and star-diblock architectures was explored. Linear and 4-arm star-shaped PCL macromers with two or four --OH end groups were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of CL and condensed with alpha-methoxy-omega-carboxy-PEO. The resulting amphiphilic copolymers were characterized by (1)H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(oxyethylene) multiblock copolymers bearing along the chain regularly spaced pendant amino groups.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) macromers (M(n) = 1.7-3.8 kDa) which contain one Z-protected -NH2 group per chain were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone in the presence of Sn(oct)2 using as initiator a diamine prepared by condensation of N-Boc-1,6-hexanediamine and N(alpha)-Boc-N(epsilon)-Z-L-Lysine.

Nanoscopic core-shell drug carriers made of amphiphilic triblock and star-diblock copolymers.

The aim of this work was to design injectable nanocarriers for drug delivery based on PCL-PEO amphiphilic block copolymers with linear ABA triblock and 4-armed (BA)(4) star-diblock architectures (A=PEO, B=PCL). The copolymers were obtained by coupling of a monofunctional -COOH end-capped PEO (M(n)=2.0kDa) with linear or 4-armed star-shaped PCL macromers bearing -OH terminal groups and were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography.

Microspheres made of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-based amphiphilic copolymers: potential in sustained delivery of proteins.

Microspheres of amphiphilic multi-block poly(ester-ether)s (PEE)s and poly(ester-ether-amide)s (PEEA)s based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) were investigated as delivery systems for proteins. The interest was mainly focused on the effect of their molecular structure and composition on the overall properties of the microspheres, encapsulating bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. PEEs and PEEAs were prepared using a alpha,omega-dihydroxy-terminated PCL macromer (Mn= 2.

New segmented copolymers containing poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and etheramide segments for the controlled release of bioactive compounds.

Segmented poly(ether-ester-amide)s (PEEAs) derived from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) oligomers, sebacoyl chloride, hydrophilic diamide-diamines based on short sequences of ethylenoxy groups and containing amino acids, were used to produce matrix systems intended for the delivery of metronidazole in the periodontal pocket. PEEAs are soluble in chloroform and insoluble in water and show M(n) values in the range 8.5-18.