Octreotide-conjugated fluorescent PEGylated polymeric nanogel for theranostic applications

Targeted nanocarriers can significantly increase the efficiency of therapeutic formulations by ensuring the site specific delivery of the cargo. Here in, we report a novel actively targeted fluorescent nanogel, PMB-OctN, based on photoluminescent comacromer [PEG-maleic acid-4 aminobenzoic acid], diethylene glycoldimethacrylate and octreotide. The nanogel has spherical morphology with average particle size around 40nm. The PMB-OctN can load 78% of anticancer drug and release for 5days and beyond in a sustained way. The studies on drug delivery of doxorubicin from PMB-OctN carried out with cervical cancer cells. Hela revealed appreciable therapeutic capability. The studies on cellular uptake of the nanogel revealed increased cellular uptake when compared to the nontargeted nanogel. The study on fluorescence bioimaging of the PMB-OctN in mice has demonstrated near-IR imaging capability. Then biodistribution studies of the PMB-OctN in mice have also revealed longer in vivo circulation lifetime. Taken together, these results suggest that the synthesized actively targeted nanogel, PMB-OctN stands as a promising candidate for theranostic applications. As octreotide based therapeutic formulation are already used in clinics, this newly reported strategy of near-IR fluorescence labeling of octreotide has important clinical relevance.