Smart supramolecular vesicles based on glutathione-reactive pillar[6]arene and acid-labile prodrug: Dual drug loading and sequential release

Glutathione thiol-reactive pillar[6]arene (TWP6) is designed and synthesized as the first example of reducing agent-reactive host molecule. TWP6 shows high affinity binding towards suitable anti-tumor drugs and guests. Doxorubicin-based acid-labile prodrugs and TWP6 are used to construct supramolecular vesicles, which are also loaded with camptothecin. The supramolecular vesicles loaded with two drugs demonstrate glutathione- and acid-responsive drug release as well as sequential release to both stimuli types. Supramolecular vesicles show combination therapeutic effect towards tumor cells in vitro. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.