Copolymers of amino acids and poly(ethylene glycol): a new family of functionalized drug-carriers

Sylvie I. Ertel, Aruna Nathan, Samuel Zalipsky, Spiro N. Agathos, Joachim Kohn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The carboxyl groups of lysine residues, evenly spaced along the backbone of PEG-lysine copolymer, allow convenient derivatization and drug attachment. We explored several drug attachment schemes using the antimicrobial agents penicillin V and cephradine. In these schemes, the distance between the drug molecule and the backbone and the stability of the linkages were varied, leading to several structurally related polymeric antibiotics. Due to the lability of the ester linkages. the penicillin V containing conjugates readily released the free drug and inhibited bacterial growth at the same concentration as the free drug. In contrast to our expectations, all cephradine containing conjugates showed no antimicrobial activity. Efforts are underway to clarify the reasons for this lack of activity as well as to continue to explore the potential of PEG-lysine copolymers as drug carriers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPolymeric Materials Science and Engineering, Proceedings of the ACS Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering
PublisherPubl by ACS
Pages486-487
Number of pages2
ISBN (Print)0841222169
StatePublished - 1992

Publication series

NamePolymeric Materials Science and Engineering, Proceedings of the ACS Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering
Volume66
ISSN (Print)0743-0515

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Polymers and Plastics

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