Release kinetics of an amphiphilic photosensitizer by block-polymer nanoparticles

Block-polymer nanoparticles are now well-known candidates for the delivery of various non-soluble drugs to cells. The release of drugs from these nanoparticles is a major concern related to their efficiency as nanovectors and is still not completely deciphered. Various processes have been identified, depending of both the nature of the block-polymer and those of the drugs used. We focused our interest on an amphiphilic photosensitizer studied for photodynamic treatments of cancer, Pheophorbide-a (Pheo). We studied the transfer of Pheo from poly(ethyleneglycol-b-ϵ-caprolactone) nanoparticles (I) to MCF-7 cancer cells and (II) to models of membranes. Altogether, our results suggest that the delivery of the major part of the Pheo by the nanoparticles occurs via a direct transfer of Pheo from the nanoparticles to the membrane, by collision. A minor process may involve the internalization of a small amount of the nanoplatforms by the cells. So, this research illustrates the great care necessary to address the question of the choice of such nanocarriers, in relation with the properties - in particular the relative hydrophobicity - of the drugs encapsulated, and gives elements to predict the mechanism and the efficiency of the delivery.