Ultrasound responsive self-assembled micelles loaded with hypocrellin for cancer sonodynamic therapy

Abstract Nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be effective in targeted drug delivery to tumor due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. However, the inhomogeneous distribution of the nanoparticles in the tumor and the slow release of the drug make the therapeutic effect unsatisfied. Here, we present reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive micelles comprising poly (ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene sulfide) (PEG-PPS) for targeted delivery and in situ release of drug. Upon the irradiation of ultrasound, the loaded sonosensitizer hypocrellin (HC) will generate ROS to trigger the disassembly of the micelles and meanwhile realize sonodynamic therapy (SDT) effect of cancer. The in vivo experiment indicates that the HC loaded PEG-PPS are biocompatible and much more efficacious than an equivalent amount of free HC in inhibiting the growth of cancer.