Coumarin-containing thermoresponsive hyaluronic acid-based nanogels as delivery systems for anticancer chemotherapy

Nanoscale. 2017 Aug 24;9(33):12150-12162. doi: 10.1039/c7nr03964f.

Abstract

Multi-stimuli responsive nanogels based on biocompatible hydrophilic polymers have emerged as promising drug delivery systems to improve anticancer therapy with hydrophobic drugs, through increase of circulating-time in the bloodstream, tumor-targeting and reduction of systemic toxicity. This paper reports on the synthesis, characterization and biological perspectives of light- and thermoresponsive hyaluronic acid (HA)-based nanogels containing coumarin as the photocleavable group. Newly synthesized nanogels exhibited interesting features: formation by a temperature-triggered self-assembly process, successful incorporation of poorly water-soluble molecules, light-responsiveness as demonstrated by a significant shift in the critical aggregation temperature after light irradiation, efficient internalization by cancer cells overexpressing the CD44 receptor of HA, ability to circulate for a prolonged period of time in the bloodstream after intravenous injection in mice and considerable detection in tumor tissues. Our findings indicate that coumarin-containing HA-based nanogels may be promising delivery systems for anticancer chemotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coumarins / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Female
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Vero Cells
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Coumarins
  • Hydrogels
  • Hyaluronic Acid