Synthesis and Evaluation of a Well-defined HPMA Copolymer-dexamethasone Conjugate for Effective Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview

Journal Pharm Res

Specialties Pharmacology
Pharmacy

Date 2008 Jul 24

PMID 18649124

Citations 41

Authors

Xin-Ming Liu

Ling-dong Quan

Jun Tian

Yazen Alnouti

Kai Fu

Geoffrey M Thiele

Dong Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To develop a pH-sensitive dexamethasone (Dex)-containing N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer conjugate with well-defined structure for the improved treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A new pH-sensitive Dex-containing monomer (MA-Gly-Gly-NHN=Dex) was synthesized and copolymerized with HPMA using reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The structure of the resulting HPMA copolymer-Dex conjugate (P-Dex) was analyzed and its therapeutic efficacy was evaluated on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats.

Results: P-Dex was synthesized with controllable molecular weight and polydispersity index (PDI). The Dex content can be controlled by the feed-in ratio of MA-Gly-Gly-NHN=Dex. The P-Dex used for in vitro and in vivo evaluation has a average molecular weight (M (w)) of 34 kDa and a PDI of 1.34. The in vitro drug-release studies showed that the Dex release from the conjugate was triggered by low pH. Clinical measurements, endpoint bone mineral density (BMD) test and histology grading from the in vivo evaluation all suggest that newly synthesized P-Dex has strong and long-lasting anti-inflammatory and joint protection effects.

Conclusions: A HPMA copolymer-dexamethasone conjugate with a well-defined structure has been synthesized and proved to be an effective anti-arthritis therapy. It may have a unique clinical application in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

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