Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Phthalimide-Based Polymers Containing Camptothecin

The objective of this study was to develop a polymeric drug delivery system for camptothecin (CPT), capable of improving its therapeutic index and reducing its side effects. A monomeric conjugate, 3,6-endo-methylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimidoethanoylcamptothecin in (ETECPT) between CPT and 3,6-endo-methylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimidoethanoic acid was synthesized. Its homo-and copolymer with acrylic acid (AA) were prepared by photopolymerization using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMP) as a photoinitiator. The monomer and its polymers were characterized by IR, $^1$H- and $^{13}$ C-NMR spectra. The ETECPT content in poly(ETECPT-co-AA) obtained by elemental analysis was 82 wt%. The number-average molecular weights of the polymers determined by gel permeation chromatography were as follows: M$_{n}$ = 11,400 for poly(ETECPT), M$_{n}$ = 17,900 for poly(ETECPT-co-AA). The $IC_{50}$/ values of ETECPT and its polymers against cancer cells were much larger than that of CPT. Our results from the in vivo antitumor activity indicated that all polymers show high antitumor activity than CPT at a dose of 100 mg/kg./kg.