Local delivery of tumor-targeting nano-micelles harboring GSH-responsive drug release to improve antitumor efficiency

Increasing the accumulation of therapeutics in tumor site and improving the bioavailability of delivered drug are vital strategies to enhance chemotherapy efficiency as well as reduce side effects. Herein, we report an injectable hydrogel system to locally deliver tumor-targeting nano-micelles with GSH-responsive drug release to improve antitumor efficiency. Amphiphilic polymers with different functions were designed and successfully synthesized. Then, the prepared polymers self-assembled into nano-micelles (PPR-NP), which exhibited tumor cell targeting and GSH-responsive drug release behavior. Furthermore, we constructed an injectable hydrogel system composed of the nano-micelles (PPR-NP@α-CD gel ). Peritumorally administrated to tumor site, PPR-NP@α-CD gel sustainedly released PPR-NP around tumor site in situ, which were specifically taken up by tumor cells and rapidly released loaded paclitaxel in responsible to the high concentration of GSH in tumor cell, thus effectively inhibiting tumor growth. Synergized by the multitargeting effect, the present system could effectively improve the bioavailability of antineoplastic drug and enhance the antitumor efficiency, holding potential for solid tumor therapy.