Fucose-modified thermoresponsive poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) nanoparticles for controlled doxorubicin release from an injectable depot

The modification of poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) with a single fucose group per polymer chain enabled macromolecular self-assembly, and the formation of thermoresponsive nanoparticles. In addition, poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate)200 formed a self-healing material that may act as an injectable vehicle and depot for poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) nanoparticle delivery and localisation at a particular site. In combination, the injectable depot permits the controlled release of doxorubicin from the fucose presenting nanoparticles that it contains following injection. Such thermoresponsive materials are highly promising candidates for the treatment of diseases that may be remedied by exploiting targeted fucose-cell binding, such as pancreatic cancer.