Novel block glycopolymers prepared as delivery nanocarriers for controlled release of bortezomib

To explore block glycopolymers as novel polymeric delivery nanocarriers for anticancer drug bortezomib (BTZ), three types of block glycopolymers, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(gluconamido ethyl methacrylate) (PEG(113)-b-PGAMA(20)), poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(styrene)-block-poly(gluconamido ethyl methacrylate) (PEG(113)-b-PS50-b-PGAMA(20)), and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(diethyl amino) ethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(gluconamido ethyl methacrylate) (PEG(113)-b-PDEA(50)-b-PGAMA(20)), were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a PEG-based ATRP macroinitiator. Three glycopolymers possess the capacity to load BTZ via pH-induced dynamic covalent bonding and/or hydrophobic interaction with their specific self-assembly behaviors, and PEG(113)-b-PS50-b-PGAMA(20) carrier maintains the sustain release behavior of BTZ due to the stable micellar structure; PEG(113)-b-PDEA(50)-b-PGAMA(20) carrier realizes the abrupt release at pH5.5 by collapse of micellar structure, while PEG(113)-b-PGAMA(20) carrier exhibits the fastest release at studied solution pHs. This study would provide a light to develop novel block glycopolymer carrier for the delivery of anticancer drug bearing boronic acid groups.