Cholesterol-Functionalized Porous PLA Microparticles for Enhanced Drug Delivery.

ABSTRACT: A drug delivery platform based on highly porous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microparticles functionalized with amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-cholesterol (PEG-Chol) has been developed and successfully validated in vitro. This hybrid system addresses key limitations of conventional PLA and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles, providing better encapsulation and sustained drug release. The incorporation of PEG-Chol provides both enhanced aqueous dispersibility for prolonged circulation and membrane-anchoring capabilities, thereby promoting cellular interaction and endocytosis. The particles were loaded with two lipophilic anticancer agents, curcumin (Cur) and tamoxifen (Tmx), whose clinical use is constrained by poor solubility and systemic side effects. In vitro stud

SUBMITTER: Mohammed-Sadhakathullah AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12464973 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature