Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Nanoparticles of esterified polymalic acid for controlled anticancer drug release
Alberto Lanz-Landázuri1, José Portilla-Arias, Antxon Martínez de Ilarduya
1Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, ETSEIB, Diagonal 647, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Esterification of microbial poly(malic acid) is performed with either ethanol or 1-butanol to obtain polymalate conjugates capable to form nanoparticles (100-350 nm). Degradation under physiological conditions takes place with release of malic acid and the corresponding alcohol as unique degradation products. The anticancer drugs Temozolomide and Doxorubicin are encapsulated in nanoparticles with efficiency of 17 and 37%, respectively. In vitro drug release assays show that Temozolomide is almost completely discharged in a few hours whereas Doxorubicin is steadily released along several days. Drug-loaded nano-particles show remarkable effectiveness against cancer cells. Partially ethylated poly(malic acid) nano-particles are those showing the highest cellular uptake.
Related Concept Videos
Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed II
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Classification
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed I

