[Primary studies on synthesis and properties of mitoxantrone-insulin conjugates]

Mitoxantrone-insulin conjugate was prepared through covalent bond, where mitoxantrone was an anticancer model drug and insulin acted as a vector. Its stability in vitro was discussed.

Spacer was used to join insulin and mitoxantrone. The intermediate and the final conjugate were characterized by infra-red spectroscopy (IR), 1H NMR, mass spectrometray (MS) and ultra-violet spectrophotometry (UV). Stability trials of the conjugate were carried out in different pH buffer solutions and mouse plasma at 37 degrees C.

Drug loading of the conjugate was 11.68%. The conjugate was stable in phosphate buffer solution of pH 2-8 and mouse plasma at 37 degrees C.

Stable mitoxantrone-insulin conjugate was obtained to ensure further tumor targeted study in vivo.