ROS-induced biodegradable polythioketal nanoparticles for intracellular delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics

Abstract

This study introduces biodegradable poly(1,4-phenyleneacetone dimethylene thioketal) (PPADT) nanoparticles as an intracellular delivery carrier for anti-cancer therapeutic applications. PPADT is synthesized through condensation polymerization of 2,2-dimethoxypropane and 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol. The synthesized PPADT is used to prepare polymeric nanoparticles encapsulated with Nile red or paclitaxel. The presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) facilitates the polymer degradation via breakage of the thioketal bonds, resulting in disruption of the nanoparticle structure and release of the encapsulated molecules. Therapeutic effects of the paclitaxel-loaded PPADT nanoparticles are demonstrated using PC-3 prostate cancer cells, while no significant cytotoxic effects of placebo PPADT nanoparticles are observed. Our study suggests that ROS-sensitive biodegradable PPADT nanoparticles can be a new promising material for intracellular drug delivery of insoluble drugs.