Tunable conjugation densities of camptothecin on hyaluronic acid for tumor targeting and reduction-triggered release

Unlabelled Micelles self-assembled from drug-conjugated polymers indicate advantages in alleviating the premature release before reaching the intended site. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is known to specifically bind with a transmembrane glycoprotein CD44, overexpressed in many types of cancerous cells, and can also be served as micelle carriers. However, an excess amount of drug conjugation to HA backbone may be detrimental to the receptor-mediated cellular uptake. Up to now, the effect of conjugation densities of drugs has never been determined on the physical properties and biological performance of resulting micelles. In the current study, camptothecin (CPT) was conjugated on HA through 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid to self-assemble into reduction-sensitive micelles. The substitution degrees of CPT on HA backbone were tuned from around 4-20%, to clarify the effects on the cellular uptake efficiency and cytotoxicities of micelles, as well as the tumor accumulation and antitumor efficacy. The CPT substitution degree of around 15% on HA resulted in micelles with a higher cytotoxicity to 4T1 cells and achieved a better balance between the cellular uptake and reduction-triggered drug release, compared with other micelles. In contrast to a fast kidney clearance and an even distribution in major organs after intravenous injection of free CPT, the optimized micelles were accumulated in tumors, livers and lungs. The micelle content indicated a significant decrease in livers after 24h, while that in tumors displayed a significant increase to 4.9% of the injection dose. The tumor accumulation of micelles led to strong tumor suppression with minimal systemic toxicity. The in situ tumor inhibition and the accumulation of micelles in liver and lungs inhibited tumor metastasis to these tissues. It demonstrates a feasible strategy to develop drug-HA conjugate micelles with a concise and tunable structure for tumor targeting and reduction-triggered release. Statement of significance Hyaluronic acid (HA) can be served as micelle carriers and targeting ligands to tumor cells. However, the effects of drug conjugation densities on the physical profile and biological performance of resulting micelles have never been investigated. In the current study, camptothecin is conjugated on HA with reduction-sensitive linkers, and the substitution degrees of camptothecin on HA backbone vary from around 4-20%. The micelles with a substitution degree of around 15% achieve a better balance between the cellular uptake and reduction-triggered drug release and a higher cytotoxicity than others. It demonstrates a feasible strategy to develop drug-HA conjugate micelles with a concise and tunable structure for tumor targeting and reduction-triggered release.