We report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of folate receptor-targeted nanoconjugate that releases its therapeutic payload via a photochemical mechanism.The targeted delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents using nanoconjugates is a burgeoning field. [1][2][3][4] Strategies to develop cancer-cell specific nanoconjugates vary, but all attempts to selectively deliver therapeutics to cells use nanoscale carriers such as dendritic macromolecules, 2 liposomes, 5 polymers, 6 metal nanoparticles 3 or viruses 7 that include targeting and therapeutic agents. The desired result is less side toxicity in normal cells and more effective tumoricidal activity. Nanoconjugates also can be designed such that the therapeutic agents are released, and therefore active, only under particular conditions. The release mechanisms currently being explored are based primarily on reactions catalyzed by endogenous physiological factors such as reduction, 1 low pH, 3 and hydrolytic enzymes. 4 This communication describes a photochemical-based approach to release targeted drugs after delivery. In this scenario, the targeted drug conjugate is first placed on a surface, such as skin, or lung/gastrointestinal tract epithelium. After the exposure, the nanoconjugate drug is specifically taken up by the tumor cells and is washed away from the normal tissue; light is then applied from a laser device attached to an endoscope to specifically target the cancer cells. The strategy presented may be broadly applied to other cell targeting systems, particularly those that require time-and tissue-dependent control of drug activation.Photocaging refers to the temporary inactivation of a biologically active molecule using a protective photocleavable group. Upon UV irradiation of the photocleavable group, the active form of the caged molecule is irreversibly released. 8 Photocaging has been frequently applied in vitro towards the spatiotemporal control of biological processes 9-11 and the light-triggered payload release from nanoscale materials. 12,13 However, it has only been rarely applied in in vivo experiments 14,15 because of the low level tissue penetration and phototoxicity associated with short wavelength UV light.Recent advances in two-photon excitation 14,15 and optical fiber technology, however, have made it possible to cleave photocaged compounds by irradiation in the near-IR (720-800 nm 14 ). Because of this potential for higher level tissue penetration, we have applied the † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details for synthesis and characterization of 1-9; details for photocleavage experiments of 3 and 7. See DOI: 10.1039/b927215cFax: (734) 615-0621; Tel: (734) 615-0618.
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Author ManuscriptChem Commun (Camb). Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 July 12.
NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript photocaging approach towards the targeted delivery of doxorubicin, 16 an anticancer drug that inhibits DNA replication through intercalation (Fig. 1).In ...