Heating characteristics and polymerization of ?-caprolactone under microwave irradiation

Anticancer drug-loaded nanospheres based on biodegradable amphiphilic ε-caprolactone and carbonate copolymers

PURPOSE

The aim was to investigate anticancer drug-loaded poly(carbonate-ester) nanospheres as potential drug delivery systems for cancer therapy.

METHODS

Functional poly(carbonate-ester) copolymers (HPCP-SD) were synthesized by the incorporation of sulfadiazine as the tumor-targeting groups to hydroxyl groups of poly(carbonate-ester) copolymers. Two types of anticancer drug-loaded poly(carbonate-ester) nanospheres I and II were further prepared by dialysis method and high-voltage electrostatic field-assisted atomization, respectively, using HPCP-SD as polymeric carriers. These carriers and anticancer drug-loaded nanospheres were characterized, and their properties in vitro and in vivo were evaluated.

RESULTS

These anticancer drug-loaded poly(carbonate-ester) nanospheres had steady drug release rates and good controlled release properties. Moreover, anticancer drug-loaded poly(carbonate-ester) nanospheres II had faster drug release rates than those of anticancer drug-loaded nanospheres I. These anticancer drug-loaded nanospheres possessed lower cytotoxicity to HEK 293 cells and exhibited obviously higher anticancer efficiencies to the HeLa tumor cells than that of 5-fluorouracil. Anticancer drug-loaded nanospheres I possessed lower cytotoxicity to HEK 293 cells and higher anticancer activity to HeLa cells than those of anticancer drug-loaded nanospheres II.

CONCLUSIONS

These anticancer drug-loaded poly(carbonate-ester) nanospheres showed the potential as drug delivery systems for cancer therapy.

Assisted Microwave Synthesis of High Molecular Weight Poly(ArylEtherKetone)s

A microwave-assisted aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction has been used to synthesize high molecular weight Poly(ArylEtherKetone)s (PAEKs) within very short reaction times and through a highly simplified process. The influence of different parameters, (namely the microwave power, solvent nature, or reaction time) on the polymer molecular weights were studied in order to optimize the polymerization conditions. The polymers thus obtained were characterized and compared with their analogues synthesized by conventional thermal polycondensation. This work underlines the potential of microwave-assisted aromatic polymer synthesis.

Recent Advances in Microwave-Assisted Polymer Synthesis

In the past few years the use of microwave irradiation in polymer science has become a well-established technique to drive and promote chemical reactions. The main advantages of microwave heating are a strong reduction in reaction time and a high potential to contribute to green and sustainable chemistry. This article provides a short review of recent examples in the field of microwave-assisted polymer synthesis with special emphasis on radical polymerizations, step-growth polymerizations, ring-opening polymerizations, and polymer modifications.