Filomicelles from aromatic diblock copolymers increase paclitaxel-induced tumor cell death and aneuploidy compared with aliphatic copolymers.

AIM In order to improve the delivery of aromatic drugs by micellar assemblies, and particularly by long and flexible filomicelles, aromatic groups were integrated into the hydrophobic block of a degradable diblock copolymer. MATERIALS & METHODS Aromatic filomicelles were formed by self-directed assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymer PEG-PBCL with suitable block ratios. Worm-like filomicelles with an aromatic core were loaded with a common chemotherapeutic, Paclitaxel, for tests of release as well as effects on cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Aromatic filomicelles loaded more Paclitaxel than analogous aliphatic systems. Cell death and aneuploidy of surviving cells (which indicates toxicity) were highest for carcinoma lines treated in vitro with the new filomicelles. Initial tests in vivo also suggest more potent tumor shrinkage. CONCLUSION Flexible filomicelles with an aromatic core form an efficient drug delivery system that leads to higher cell death than previously reported systems, while inducing aneuploidy in surviving cells.