Ultrasensitive redox-responsive ditelluride-containing fluorinated Gemini micelles for controlled drug release

Polymer micelles have attracted much attention in the field of controlled drug release because of their excellent hydrophobic drug solubility and fewer drug side effects. However, insufficient sensitivity, insufficient dilution resistance, and ordinary therapeutic effect severely restrict the further development of current drug-loaded polymer micelles. Here, the ditelluride group was introduced for the first time into fluorinated Gemini amphiphilic polymer (FnH12DiTeFnH12) to fabricate polymeric micelles used for controlled release. Camptothecin (CPT) loaded in the FnH12DiTeFnH12 micelles can be rapidly released in a controlled manner through the cleavage of ditelluride bonds by mild H2O2 and glutathione. Meanwhile, the synergism effect of the superhydrophobicity of the fluorocarbon chain and the special Gemini structure endows the drug-loaded polymer micelles with excellent stability and drug-loading content. Moreover, the in vitro studies revealed that the CPT@FnH12DiTeFnH12 micelles exhibited efficient uptake in Hela cells. Notably, about five times lower dosage of loaded CPT had a higher tumor cells growth inhibition than the free CPT, and cell membrane permeability became better with the increase of the fluorocarbon chain length. The CPT@FnH12DiTeFnH12 micelles exhibit excellent physical and chemical properties and good therapeutic effects, indicating their excellent potential for drug delivery and providing a novel avenue for chemotherapy.