Rational Mitomycin Nanocarriers Based on Hydrophobically Functionalized Polyelectrolytes and Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)

[Image: see text] Encapsulation of hydrophilic and amphiphilic drugs in appropriate colloidal carrier systems for sustained release is an emerging problem. In general, hydrophobic bioactive substances tend to accumulate in water-immiscible polymeric domains, and the release process is controlled by their low aqueous solubility and limited diffusion from the nanocarrier matrix. Conversely, hydrophilic/amphiphilic drugs are typically water-soluble and insoluble in numerous polymers. Therefore, a core–shell approach—nanocarriers comprising an internal core and external shell microenvironments of different properties—can be exploited for hydrophilic/amphiphilic drugs. To produce colloidally stable poly(lactic-co-glycolic) (PLGA) nanoparticles for mitomycin C (MMC) delivery and controlled release, a unique class of amphiphilic polymers—hydrophobically functionalized polyelectrolytes—were utilized as shell-forming materials, comprising both stabilization via electrostatic repulsive forces and anchoring to the core via hydrophobic interactions. Undoubtedly, the use of these polymeric building blocks for the core–shell approach contributes to the enhancement of the payload chemical stability and sustained release profiles. The studied nanoparticles were prepared via nanoprecipitation of the PLGA polymer and were dissolved in acetone as a good solvent and in an aqueous solution containing hydrophobically functionalized poly(4-styrenesulfonic-co-maleic acid) and poly(acrylic acid) of differing hydrophilic–lipophilic balance values. The type of the hydrophobically functionalized polyelectrolyte (HF-PE) was crucial for the chemical stability of the payload—derivatives of poly(acrylic acid) were found to cause very rapid degradation (hydrolysis) of MMC, in contrast to poly(4-styrenesulfonic-co-maleic acid). The present contribution allowed us to gain crucial information about novel colloidal nanocarrier systems for MMC delivery, especially in the fields of optimal HF-PE concentrations, appropriate core and shell building materials, and the colloidal and chemical stability of the system.