The formation of biodegradable micelles from a therapeutic initiator for enzyme-mediated drug delivery

Abstract

The direct grafting of amphiphilic macromolecules by sequential n-carboxyanhydride ring-opening polymerisation (NCA ROP) from a therapeutic initiator enables the formation of monodisperse drug-containing micelles. The subsequent enzyme-mediated hydrolysis of the peptide component permits the programmed release of the encapsulated drug molecules, demonstrating a controlled drug delivery platform that negates any challenging payload loading procedures.