Abstract

The use of cisplatin is restricted by systemic toxicity and drug resistance. Supramolecular nano-drug delivery systems involving drugs as building blocks circumvent these limitations promisingly. Herein, we describe a novel supramolecular system [Pt(IV)-SSNPs] based on poly(β-cyclodextrin), which was synthesized for efficient loading of adamantly-functionalized platinum(IV) prodrug [Pt(IV)-ADA 2 ] via the host-guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin and adamantyl. Pt(IV)-ADA 2 can be converted to active cisplatin in reducing environment in cancer cells, which further reduces systemic toxicity. The introduction of the adamantane group-tethered mPEG 2k endowed the Pt(IV)-SSNPs with a longer blood circulation time. In vitro assays exhibited that the Pt(IV)-SSNPs could be uptaken by CT26 cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest in the G2/M and S phases, together with apoptosis. Furthermore, the Pt(IV)-SSNPs showed effective tumor accumulation, better antitumor effect , and negligible cytotoxicity to major organs. These results indicate that supramolecular nanoparticles are a promising platform for efficient cisplatin delivery and cancer treatment.