Synthesis and Biological Properties of Porphyrin-Containing Polymeric Micelles with Different Sizes.

To understand the size effect of polymeric micelles on their biological properties, such as cellular uptake, biodistribution, tumor accumulation, and so on, we prepared a series of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded protoporphyrin (PP)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) micelles with different diameters (40, 70, 100, and 130 nm). The incorporation of the protoporphyrin moiety enhanced the stability of the micelles and provided luminescent capability that is useful in the investigation of the cellular uptake of the micelles by fluorescence imaging. The biodistributions of the micelles in mice bearing tumors were evaluated by near-infrared fluorescence imaging and DOX concentration measurements in different tissues. The in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrated the pronounced dependence of the cellular uptake, biodistribution, and antitumor effectiveness of the micelles on their size.