Photochemical properties and activity of water-soluble polymer/c(60) nanohybrids for photodynamic therapy.

Water-soluble star-like poly(vinyl alcohol)/C(60) and poly{[poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate]-co-(vinyl acetate)}/C(60) nanohybrids are prepared by grafting macroradicals onto C(60) and are assessed as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. The photophysical and biological properties of both nanohybrids highlight key characteristics influencing their overall efficiency. The macromolecular structure (linear/graft) and nature (presence/absence of hydroxyl groups) of the polymeric arms respectively impact the photodynamic activity and the stealthiness of the nanohybrids.

Synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol)/C(60) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)/C(60) nanohybrids as potential photodynamic cancer therapy agents.

Well-defined poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-co-poly(vinyl acetate) (PNVP-co-PVAc) chains end-capped by Co(acac)(2) (acac=acetylacetonate) and prepared by cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) are grafted onto a fullerene. Homolytic Co-C bond cleavage of the polymer chain ends at 30 degrees C releases the polymeric radicals that add onto C(60), thereby leading to the corresponding PVAc/C(60) and PNVP-co-PVAc/C(60) nanohybrids. The [polymer-Co(acac)(2)]/[C(60)] molar ratio was varied to adjust the structure of the nanohybrids, and more particularly the number of grafted arms.