Polyaspartamide based hydrogel with cell recruitment properties for the local administration of hydrophobic anticancer drugs

By exploiting the chemical versatility and the high water dispersibility of α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)D,L-aspartamide, in this work, two different polymer derivatives were synthesized for the first time. Obtained macromolecules were characterized and used to produce hydrogels exploitable for the local release of hydrophobic anticancer drugs. The first derivative, bearing pendant β-cyclodextrins, was employed to solubilize tamoxifen, chosen as a model drug, and to produce a water soluble supramolecular complex, as evidenced through tamoxifen phase solubility studies. The second derivative, bearing pendant Cyclo(Arginine-Glyicine-Asparagine-DPhenilyalanine-Cysteine) peptide moieties, was used as a macromolecular crosslinker to obtain a hydrogel with cellular recruitment properties. The occurrence of crosslinking between the two derivatives was studied through rheological analysis and different procedures were employed to obtain tamoxifen medicated hydrogels. In vitro release studies, together with cytotoxicity and recruitment experiments, reveal that the obtained hydrogels can control the release of anticancer drugs, have a cytotoxic effect on human breast carcinoma cells and, thanks to the presence of adhesion moieties, are able to recruit cancer cells.