In this study, we prepared novel
poly(Glycerol malate co-dodecanedioate) (PGMD) NPs containing an imaging/
hyperthermia agent (IR820) and a chemotherapeutic agent (
doxorubicin, DOX). The PGMD
polymer was prepared by thermal condensation. IR820 and DOX loaded PGMD NPs were prepared using the single oil
emulsion technique. The size of the NPs measured was around 150 nm.
Drug loading efficiency of DOX and IR820 was around 4% and 8%, respectively. An acidic environment (pH=5.0) induced higher DOX release as compared to pH=7.4. DOX release was also enhanced by exposure to
laser, which increased the temperature to 42°C. Cytotoxicity of the
drug loaded NPs was comparable in MES-SA but was higher in Dx5 cells compared to free
drug (p<0.05). The combination of
hyperthermia and
chemotherapy improved cytotoxicity in both cell lines. The NP formulation significantly improved the plasma half-life of IR820 in mice after tail vein injection.