Shell cross-linking of cyclodextrin-based micelles via supramolecular chemistry for the delivery of drugs.

A block copolymer based on poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and a block with a statistical distribution of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) and repeating unit with carrying β-cyclodextrin was prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and click reaction. Addition of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate-s-adamantylmethyl acrylate) P(HEA(17) -s-AdMA(7) ) above the LCST of the block copolymer led to capture of the micelle structure of 36 nm against disassembly. The drug- (albendazole) loaded supramolecular assembly, which was fixed via host-guest complexation between β-cyclodextrin and adamantane, was then tested as a drug carrier. Cell viability studies using human ovarian carcinoma cell line (OVCAR-3) cell lines show a higher toxicity of the shell cross-linked micelle compared with the free block copolymer.