Novel supramolecular hydrogel/micelle composite for co-delivery of anticancer drug and growth factor

Novel supramolecular hydrogel/micelle composites were designed for the co-encapsulation and prolonged release of camptothecin (CPT) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). For this purpose, heparin-conjugated Pluronic F-127 (Hep-F-127) was synthesized by a click reaction and then used to self-assemble the micelles with their hydrophobic cores loaded with CPT and hydrophilic shells complexed with G-CSF. By mixing α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and CPT-loaded Hep-F-127 micelle/G-CSF complexes in an aqueous system, the supramolecular hydrogel/micelle composite with good injectability could be formed under mild conditions. For the co-encapsulated CPT and G-CSF, they could maintain their biological activity and exhibit a more prolonged release when compared to CPT-loaded Hep-F-127 micelles/G-CSF complexes. Moreover, the gelation properties and drug release profiles could by tuned by α-CD amount.