Photosensitive multifunctional poly(vinyl alcohol) micelles for enhanced antitumor effect.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) micelles were firstly synthesized by using hemin molecules as novel crosslinked bridges (PVA-H crosslinked micelles). On one hand, the crosslinked micelles can allow high stability against extensive dilution (1800-fold) to reduce side-effects; On the other hand, the bridges not only can destruct by means of laser irradiation (405nm, 200mw), but also can induce the production of singlet oxygen (1O2) and the release of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) (i.e. 46% release in 360min). But above all, that 5FU-loaded PVA-H crosslinked micelles irradiating by laser is more efficient than PVA-H crosslinked micelles and free 5FU in killing tumor cells, suggest the effective synergistic antitumor effect about chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT).