title: Drug mimic induced conformational changes in model polymer-drug conjugates characterized by small-angle neutron scattering.
abstract: Copolymers based on poly(N-(2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide)) with conjugated Doxrubicin are established as candidate anticancer therapeutics. Two HPMA-co-polymers (ca. 35000 g mol(-1)) with 2.5 and 8 mol % gly-phe-leu-gly peptidyl side-chain content have been modified using linear hydrocarbon and small aromatic molecules as simple drug mimics. This first contrast-variation SANS study on these systems demonstrates, combined with detailed modeling, a controlled switch from random coil to a more defined morphology induced by inclusion of a series of model drug mimics. Relatively small changes in drug-mimic type and loading can significantly alter the solution conformation, and we tentatively propose a helical type structure that is more or less tightly wound, depending on both hydrophobe loading and type. The results presented have important implications for understanding the influence of conjugate structure on solution properties, which is an important factor influencing biological and clinical activity.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom. paula3@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Heenan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schweins
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004317:Doxorubicin