Reprogramming axial ligands facilitates the self-assembly of a platinum(<scp>iv</scp>) prodrug: overcoming drug resistance and safer<i>in vivo</i>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.