Nanomedicines, including polymer nanocarriers with controlled drug release, are considered next-generation therapeutics with advanced therapeutic properties and reduced side effects. To develop safe and efficient nanomedicines, it is crucial to precisely determine the drug release kinetics. Herein, we present application of analytical methods, i.e., surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology (SPR), capillary electrophoresis, and 1H diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which were innovatively applied for drug release determination. The methods were optimised to quantify the pH-triggered release of three structurally different drugs from a polymer carrier. The suitability of these methods for drug release characterisation was evaluated and compared using several parameters including applicability for diverse samples, the biological relevance of the experimental setup, method complexity, and the analysis outcome. The SPR method was the most universal method for the evaluation of diverse drug molecule release allowing continuous observation in the flow-through setting and requiring a small amount of sample.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Mebendazole and other benzimidazole antihelmintics, such as albendazole, fenbendazole, or flubendazole, have been shown to possess antitumour activity, primarily due to their microtubule-disrupting activity. However, the extremely poor water-solubility of mebendazole and other benzimidazoles, resulting in very low bioavailability, is a serious drawback of this class of drugs. Thus, the investigation of their antitumour potential has been limited so far to administering repeated high doses given peroral (p.o.) or to using formulations, such as liposomes. Herein, we report a fully biocompatible, water-soluble, HPMA copolymer-based conjugate bearing mebendazole (P-MBZ; Mw 28-33 kDa) covalently attached through a biodegradable bond, enabling systemic administration. Such an approach not only dramatically improves mebendazole solubility but also significantly prolongs the half-life and ensures tumour accumulation via an enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect in vivo. This P-MBZ has remarkable cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in EL-4 T-cell lymphoma, LL2 lung carcinoma, and CT-26 colon carcinoma mouse cell lines in vitro, with corresponding IC50 values of 1.07, 1.51, and 0.814 µM, respectively. P-MBZ also demonstrated considerable antitumour activity in EL-4 tumour-bearing mice when administered intraperitoneal (i.p.), either as a single dose or using 3 intermittent doses. The combination of P-MBZ with immunotherapy based on complexes of IL-2 and anti-IL-2 mAb S4B6, potently stimulating activated and memory CD8+ T cells, as well as NK cells, further improved the therapeutic effect.

• Klíčová slova
• HPMA, cancer therapy, controlled drug release, drug delivery, mebendazole, polymer,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Stimulus-sensitive polymer drug conjugates based on high molecular weight N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers carrying doxorubicin via a pH-dependent cleavable bond (pHPMA-Dox) were previously shown to be able to overcome multi-drug resistance. Nevertheless, a tumor type dependent differential response was observed. Although an improved and more selective tumor accumulation of pHPMA-Dox is generally achieved due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, little is known about the fate of these conjugates upon entering the tumor tissue, which could explain the different responses. In this study, we compared in vitro and in vivo accumulation and Dox-activation of pHPMA-Dox in three cancer cell line models (1411HP, A2780cis, HT29) and derived xenograft tumors using a near-infrared fluorescence-labeled pHPMA-Dox conjugate. Firstly, cytotoxicity assays using different pH conditions proved a stepwise, pH-dependent increase in cytotoxic activity and revealed comparable sensitivity among the cell lines. Using multispectral fluorescence microscopy, we were able to track the distribution of drug and polymeric carrier simultaneously on cellular and histological levels. Microscopic analyses of cell monolayers confirmed the assumed mechanism of cell internalization of the whole conjugate followed by intracellular cleavage and nuclear accumulation of Dox in all three cell lines. In contrast, intratumoral distribution and drug release in xenograft tumors were completely different and were associated with different tissue substructures and microenvironments analyzed by Azan- and Hypoxisense®-staining. In 1411HP tumors, large vessels and less hypoxic/acidic microenvironments were associated with a pattern resulting from consistent tissue distribution and cellular uptake as whole conjugate followed by intracellular drug release. In A2780cis tumors, an inconsistent pattern of distribution partly resulting from premature drug release was associated with a more hypoxic/acidic microenvironment, compacted tumor tissue with compressed vessels and specific pre-damaged tissue structures. A completely different distribution pattern was observed in HT29 tumors, resulting from high accumulation of polymer in abundant fibrotic structures, with small embedded vessels featuring this tumor type together with pronounced premature drug release due to the strongly hypoxic/acidic microenvironment. In conclusion, the pattern of intratumoral distribution and drug release strongly depends on the tumor substructure and microenvironment and may result in different degrees of therapeutic efficacy. This reflects the pronounced heterogeneity observed in the clinical application of nanomedicines and can be exploited for the future design of such conjugates.

• Klíčová slova
• HPMA copolymer, chemotherapy resistance, pH-sensitive drug release, polymer drug conjugates, tumor microenvironment,
• MeSH
• antitumorózní látky aplikace a dávkování   chemie   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• buňky HT-29 MeSH
• doxorubicin aplikace a dávkování   chemie   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• fluorescenční barviva chemie   MeSH
• karbocyaniny chemie   MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• methakryláty chemie   MeSH
• molekulová hmotnost MeSH
• myši nahé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádorové mikroprostředí MeSH
• nosiče léků aplikace a dávkování   chemie   farmakokinetika   MeSH
• systémy cílené aplikace léků MeSH
• tkáňová distribuce MeSH
• uvolňování léčiv MeSH
• xenogenní modely - testy antitumorózní aktivity MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antitumorózní látky MeSH
• doxorubicin MeSH
• fluorescenční barviva MeSH
• hydroxypropyl methacrylate MeSH Prohlížeč
• indotricarbocyanine MeSH Prohlížeč
• karbocyaniny MeSH
• methakryláty MeSH
• nosiče léků MeSH

Here we describe the synthesis and biological properties of two types of star-shaped polymer-doxorubicin conjugates: non-targeted conjugate prepared as long-circulating high-molecular-weight (HMW) polymer prodrugs with a dendrimer core and a targeted conjugate with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab (RTX). The copolymers were linked to the dendrimer core or to the reduced mAb via one-point attachment forming a star-shaped structure with a central antibody or dendrimer surrounded by hydrophilic polymer chains. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was attached to the N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based copolymer chain in star polymer systems via a pH-labile hydrazone linkage. Such polymer-DOX conjugates were fairly stable in aqueous solutions at pH 7.4, and the drug was readily released in mildly acidic environments at pH 5-5.5 by hydrolysis of the hydrazone bonds. The cytotoxicity of the polymer conjugates was tested on several CD20-positive or negative human cell lines. Similar levels of in vitro cytotoxicity were observed for all tested polymer conjugates regardless of type or structure. In vivo experiments using primary cell-based murine xenograft models of human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma confirmed the superior anti-lymphoma efficacy of the polymer-bound DOX conjugate when compared with the original drug. Targeting with RTX did not further enhance the anti-lymphoma efficacy relative to the non-targeted star polymer conjugate. Two mechanisms could play roles in these findings: changes in the binding ability to the CD-20 receptor and a significant loss of the immunological properties of RTX in the polymer conjugates.

• Klíčová slova
• HPMA copolymers, doxorubicin, drug delivery systems, drug targeting, monoclonal antibody,
• MeSH
• antitumorózní látky chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• doxorubicin chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymfom farmakoterapie   mortalita   patologie   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• polymery * chemie   MeSH
• prekurzory léčiv * chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• rituximab chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• systémy cílené aplikace léků MeSH
• uvolňování léčiv MeSH
• viabilita buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• xenogenní modely - testy antitumorózní aktivity MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antitumorózní látky MeSH
• doxorubicin MeSH
• polymery * MeSH
• prekurzory léčiv * MeSH
• rituximab MeSH

The synthesis of a series of novel, water-soluble poly(organophosphazenes) prepared via living cationic polymerization is presented. The degradation profiles of the polyphosphazenes prepared are analyzed by GPC, 31P NMR spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy in aqueous media and show tunable degradation rates ranging from days to months, adjusted by subtle changes to the chemical structure of the polyphosphazene. Furthermore, it is observed that these polymers demonstrate a pH-promoted hydrolytic degradation behavior, with a remarkably faster rate of degradation at lower pH values. These degradable, water soluble polymers with controlled molecular weights and structures could be of significant interest for use in aqueous biomedical applications, such as polymer therapeutics, in which biological clearance is a requirement and in this context cell viability tests are described which show the non-toxic nature of the polymers as well as their degradation intermediates and products.

• Klíčová slova
• biocompatible polymers, biodegradable polymers, polymer therapeutics, polyphosphazenes, water-soluble polymers,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

PURPOSE: In vivo efficacy and safety of HPMA-based copolymers armed with doxorubicin via a spacer containing pH-sensitive linkage that can be prepared within a broad range of attached drug contents (1) was tested in murine tumor models. METHODS: Mice bearing T cell lymphoma EL4 or B cell lymphoma 38C13 were treated with a single dose of the conjugate (15, 25, and 75 mg Dox eq./kg i.v.) in a therapeutic regime. Anti-tumor resistance of the cured animals was proved by a second challenge with a lethal dose of tumor cells without additional treatment. RESULTS: The content of drug bound to the polymer is an important parameter in relation to the conjugate therapeutic efficacy. The best anti-tumor effects were produced by conjugates with 10 - 13 wt% of bound doxorubicin. Free doxorubicin up to 4.6% relative to total drug content had no impact on the treatment efficacy and acute toxicity. The conjugates induced a complete cure of mice and regular treatment-dependent development of specific anti-tumor resistance. No myelosuppression or organ damage was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A well-defined HPMA copolymer-doxorubicin conjugate with pH-sensitive drug release is a good candidate for clinical trials as it has remarkable anti-tumor efficacy and a favorable safety profile.

• MeSH
• antibiotika antitumorózní farmakokinetika   farmakologie   MeSH
• doxorubicin analogy a deriváty   chemická syntéza   farmakokinetika   farmakologie   MeSH
• imunomodulace účinky léků   MeSH
• koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
• kyseliny polymethakrylové chemická syntéza   farmakokinetika   farmakologie   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nosiče léků chemická syntéza   farmakokinetika   farmakologie   MeSH
• polymery * chemická syntéza   farmakokinetika   farmakologie   MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• xenogenní modely - testy antitumorózní aktivity MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibiotika antitumorózní MeSH
• doxorubicin-N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer conjugate MeSH Prohlížeč
• doxorubicin MeSH
• kyseliny polymethakrylové MeSH
• nosiče léků MeSH
• polymery * MeSH