Block Copolymer Crosslinked Nanoassemblies Co-entrapping Hydrophobic Drugs and Lipophilic Polymer Additives

Block Copolymer Crosslinked Nanoassemblies Co-entrapping Hydrophobic Drugs and Lipophilic Polymer Additives

Block copolymer crosslinked nanoassemblies (CNAs) were synthesized to investigate their patterns of entrapping and releasing an anticancer drug (17-AAG) in the presence of a lipophilic polymer additive (polylactic acid: PLA) in the core. The CNAs were prepared by crosslinking poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (aspartate hydrazide) (PEG-Hyd) block copolymers through an amide bond. The CNAslocked in the particle size after co-entrapping 17-AAG and PLA (< 50 nm in diameter). PLA with various molecular weights (3.4, 6, and 7.5 kDa) was used as polymer additives that are small enough to diffuse into the CNA core.