The amino groups of a novel oligomer of amino-cyclodextrins play a relevant role in the recognition process of diclofenac and this highlights the potential of short polymeric chains as new drug carriers.

Polymeric nanoparticles containing cyclodextrins are currently undergoing clinical trials as nanotherapeutics. In this context, we have synthesized high and low molecular weight β-cyclodextrin polymers and functionalized them with folate to improve their selectivity for cells overexpressing the folic acid receptor. Inclusion complexes of the unfunctionalized and FA-functionalized polymers with the antitumour complex cis-trans-cis-[PtCl2(CH3CO2)2(adamantyl-NH2)(NH3)] (LA-12) have been tested on tumour cells. In the presence of the high molecular weight polymers, LA-12 exhibited IC50 values significantly lower than that of LA-12 alone in MDA-MB-231 cells. The drug nanocarriers investigated do not appear to take significant advantage of the presence of folate residues, possibly because of the reduced accessibility of folate included in cyclodextrin moieties by the receptor or low degree of functionalization of the polymers. However the non-covalent approach, based on inclusion complexes with cyclodextrin polymers, looks very promising for improving the performance of LA-12

Polymeric nanoparticles based on cyclodextrins are currently undergoing clinical trials as new promising nanotherapeutics. In light of this interest, we investigated cyclodextrin cross-linked polymers with different lengths as carriers for the poorly water-soluble drug sorafenib. Both polymers significantly enhanced sorafenib solubility, with shorter polymers showing the most effective solubilizing effect. Inclusion complexes between sorafenib and the investigated polymers exhibited an antiproliferative effect in tumor cells similar to that of free sorafenib. Polymer/Sorafenib complexes also showed lower in vivo tissue toxicity than with free sorafenib in all organs. Our results suggest that the inclusion of sorafenib in polymers represents a successful strategy for a new formulation of this drug.

No abstract

Polymeric nanoparticles and fibrin gels (FBGs) are attractive biomaterials for local delivery of a variety of biotherapeutic agents, from drugs to proteins. We combined these different drug delivery approaches by preparing nanoparticle-loaded FBGs characterized by their intrinsic features of drug delivery rate and antiproliferative/apoptotic activities. Inclusion complexes of doxorubicin (DOXO) with oligomeric β-cyclodextrins (oCyD) functionalized with different functional groups were studied. These nanocarriers were able to interact with FBGs as shown by a decreased release rate of DOXO. One of these complexes, oCyDNH/DOXO, demonstrated good antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in vitro, reflecting a higher drug uptake by cells. As hypothesized, the nanocarrier/FBG complexes showed a lower drug release rate than similar FBGs loaded with the corresponding non-functionalized oCyD/DOXO. Taken together, our results provide experimental evidence that oCyDNH/DOXO complexes may be useful components in enhanced FBGs and further build support for the great promise these complex molecules hold for clinical use in localized anticancer therapy of inoperable or surgically removable tumors of different histological origin.