Stimuli-sensitive polymer prodrug nanocarriers by reversible-deactivation radical polymerization.

Polymer prodrugs are based on the covalent linkage of therapeutic molecules to a polymer structure which avoids the problems and limitations commonly encountered with traditional drug-loaded nanocarriers in which drugs are just physically entrapped (, burst release, poor drug loadings). In the past few years, reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques have been extensively used to design tailor-made polymer prodrug nanocarriers. This synthesis strategy has received a lot of attention due to the possibility of fine tuning their structural parameters (, polymer nature and macromolecular characteristics, linker nature, physico-chemical properties, functionalization, ), to achieve optimized drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy.

Thermosensitive polymer prodrug nanoparticles prepared by an all-aqueous nanoprecipitation process and application to combination therapy.

Despite their great versatility and ease of functionalization, most polymer-based nanocarriers intended for use in drug delivery often face serious limitations that can prevent their clinical translation, such as uncontrolled drug release and off-target toxicity, which mainly originate from the burst release phenomenon. In addition, residual solvents from the formulation process can induce toxicity, alter the physico-chemical and biological properties and can strongly impair further pharmaceutical development. To address these issues, we report polymer prodrug nanoparticles, which are prepared without organic solvents via an all-aqueous formulation process, and provide sustained drug release.

INGAP-Peptide Variants as a Novel Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes: Effect on Human Islet Insulin Secretion and Gene Expression.

Islet transplantation offers a long-term cure for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), freeing patients from daily insulin injections. Therapeutic peptides have shown potential to increase the insulin output of pancreatic islets, maximizing the impact of grafted cells. The islet neogenesis-associated protein (INGAP), and its bioactive core (INGAP-P), stimulate beta-cell function and viability, offering the possibility for islet treatment prior to implant.

Vinyl copolymers with faster hydrolytic degradation than aliphatic polyesters and tunable upper critical solution temperatures.

Vinyl polymers are the focus of intensive research due to their ease of synthesis and the possibility of making well-defined, functional materials. However, their non-degradability leads to environmental problems and limits their use in biomedical applications, allowing aliphatic polyesters to still be considered as the gold standards. Radical ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals is considered the most promising approach to impart degradability to vinyl polymers.