Poly(ethylene carbonate) nanoparticles as carrier system for chemotherapy showing prolonged in vivo circulation and anti-tumor efficacy.

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of PEC nanoparticles as delivery system for cancer chemotherapy. Assembly of paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles with high loading efficiency and narrow-size distribution is successful. For non-invasive in vivo tracing, nanoparticle blends of chelator bearing poly(lactide) with PEC and PLGA are successfully prepared. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice reveal a twofold higher circulation time of PEC as compared to PLGA. A tumor model shows an accumulation of PEC NPs in cancerous tissue and a higher anti-tumor efficiency compared to the standard Taxol™, which is reflected in a significantly slower tumor growth compared to the NaCl control group.