A Polymer Responsive to Reactive Oxygen Species for Safe, Efficient Chemo-Photodynamic Combined Cancer Therapy

Combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy can improve anti-cancer efficacy. In this study, a novel copolymer PTPP combining thioketal and protoporphyrin was synthesized and tested for antitumor activity. Self-assembled PTPP micelles loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) showed uniform size, narrow particle size distribution and greater antitumor activity in vivo and in vivo than DOX-loaded micelles made from the commonly used material mPEG-PCL. Under laser irradiation, the photosensitizing protoporphyrin of DOX/PTPP produces abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) that directly kill tumor cells as well as destroy the micelles themselves, leading to drug release. The ROS and DOX then act synergistically against the tumors. These ROS-responsive, laser-sensitive polymeric micelles may be useful for combining PDT and chemotherapy.