Synthesis and characterization of polyanhydride for local BCNU delivery carriers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kim, Moon Suk | Seo, Kwang Su | Seong, Ha Soo | Cho, Sun Hang | Lee, Hai Bang^; | Hong, Keum Duck | Kim, Sun Kyung | Khang, Gilson

Affiliations: Nanobiomaterials Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, PO Box 107, Yuseong, Daejeon 305‐600, Korea | Department of Polymer/Nano Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, 664‐14, Duckjin, Jeonju 561‐756, Korea

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +82 42 860 7220; Fax: +82 42 860 7228; E‐mail: hblee@krict.re.kr.

Abstract: p‐Carboxyphenoxy propane (CPP) prepolymer consisting of 4 units and sebacic acid (SA) prepolymer consisting of about 10 units were synthesized by reacting CPP and SA in the presence of excess acetic anhydride, respectively. Polyanhydride, poly(CPP‐SA) copolymers were copolymerized by a melt polycondensation process with a mixture of CPP and SA prepolymer. Copolymers of average molecular weight up to 110,000 g/mol were achieved. The crystallinity of poly(CPP‐SA) copolymers was decreased by the addition of the CPP homopolymer segment to SA homopolymer. Poly(CPP‐SA) copolymers gradually degraded for period of 10 days. No large difference of weight loss observed according to molecular weight variation of poly(CPP‐SA) copolymers. BCNU release from wafers fabricated by poly(CPP‐SA) showed a sustained release pattern with no initial burst and delay of drug release.

Keywords: Polyanhydride, polycondensation, BCNU, sustained drug release

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 229-238, 2005