Functional poly(p-phenylene)s as targeting and drug carrier materials

WOS: 000375958100002Polymers have a substantial attention in drug delivery systems owing to the diverse intrinsic advantages. It is important to carry the drug to the target site and release to exert its effects. Herein, poly(p-phenylene)s with amino and poly(ethylene glycol) substituents (PPP-NH2-g-PEG) were used as a carrier for doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug, and haloperidol, a sigma receptor targeting ligand. Both human cervix adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa) and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) having different Sigma receptor 1 (SigmaR1) expression levels were compared. HeLa was found to express twofold SigmaR1 compared to HaCaT cells. Cell imaging studies showed that, DOX cell uptake was higher in HeLa cells when targeted with haloperidol. [GRAPHICS] .Ege UniversityEge University; Aliye USTER Foundation; Istanbul Technical University, Research FundEge University, Aliye USTER Foundation, and Istanbul Technical University, Research Fund, are acknowledged for financial support