Maleimide functionalized polycaprolactone micelles for glutathione quenching and doxorubicin delivery.

ABSTRACT: High glutathione production is known to be one of the defense mechanisms by which many cancer cells survive elevated oxidative stress. By explicitly targeting glutathione in these cancer cells and diminishing its levels, oxidative stress can be intensified, ultimately triggering apoptosis or programmed cell death. Herein, we developed a novel approach by creating maleimide-functionalized polycaprolactone polymers, specifically using 2,3-diiodomaleimide functionality to reduce the level of glutathione in cancer cells. Polycaprolactone was chosen to conjugate the 2,3-diiodomaleimide functionality due to its biodegradable and biocompatible properties. The amphiphilic block copolymer was synthesized using PEG as a macroinitiator to make corresponding polymeric micelles. The resulting 2,3-diiod

SUBMITTER: Babanyinah GK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11220601 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature