Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin-Based Micelles With Aggregation-Induced Emission Activity and Redox-Responsiveness for Smart Cancer Therapy

A novel polymer Bio-CD-SS-TPE is designed and synthesized by modifying hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) featured tetraphenylethylene derivative, disulfide bond, and biotin. The polymer can self-assemble into micelles in an aqueous phase and encapsulate paclitaxel (PTX) in the hydrophobic core. As expected, the Bio-CD-SS-TPE micelles exhibit excellent AIE performance and cell imaging capability. With the effect of disulfide bonds, the PTX-loaded micelles quickly release the drug upon the trigger of glutathione. In vivo study indicates the superior tumor inhibition effect and lower systemic toxicity of the PTX-loaded micelles. The Bio-CD-SS-TPE micellar system holds great potential in cancer treatment and bioimaging.