Reprogramming axial ligands facilitates the self-assembly of a platinum(iv) prodrug: overcoming drug resistance and safer in vivo delivery of cisplatin

Abstract

We herein reprogrammed axial ligands of platinum(IV) prodrugs, conferring the constructed prodrug entities with the ability to self-assemble in aqueous solution. Further cloaking of the PEG chain with Pluronic surfactant makes this nanoassembly (termed Pt(IV)-NP) suitable for systemic injection. Notably, Pt(IV)-NP significantly alleviated the toxicity of the parent cisplatin drug in vivo while preserving the pharmacological activity.