opening reaction of azlactone with amine, poly(galactose) glycopolymers with
long linker length between carbohydrate and backbone were synthesized by direct
post-polymerization modification of poly(azlactone) scaffold and were shown to be
very active against cholera toxin (Fig. 12) [76].
3 Novel Applications of Glycopolymers
3.1 Therapeutic Application: Anticancer and Anti-HIV
Carbohydrate-based anticancer agents have been explored with the aim of increasing
the efficacy and decreasing the side effects of traditional anticancer Pt-based drugs
[77, 78]. Recently, glycopolymer-based dithiocarbamates conjugates modified
with gold(I) phosphine (Fig. 13) were synthesized and their cytotoxicity profiles
examined. The results suggested that the gold conjugates showed higher accumulation and cytotoxicity to cancer cells due to the existence of glycopolymers and that
their effect on normal breast cells was not significant [79].
Fig. 11 Synthesis of glycopolymers by reaction of polymers bearing reactive p-nitrophenyl
carbonate with amine functional sugar
Fig. 12 Synthesis of glycopolymers by reaction of poly(azlactone) with amine functional sugar
54
Q. Zhang and D.M. Haddleton
long linker length between carbohydrate and backbone were synthesized by direct
post-polymerization modification of poly(azlactone) scaffold and were shown to be
very active against cholera toxin (Fig. 12) [76].
3 Novel Applications of Glycopolymers
3.1 Therapeutic Application: Anticancer and Anti-HIV
Carbohydrate-based anticancer agents have been explored with the aim of increasing
the efficacy and decreasing the side effects of traditional anticancer Pt-based drugs
[77, 78]. Recently, glycopolymer-based dithiocarbamates conjugates modified
with gold(I) phosphine (Fig. 13) were synthesized and their cytotoxicity profiles
examined. The results suggested that the gold conjugates showed higher accumulation and cytotoxicity to cancer cells due to the existence of glycopolymers and that
their effect on normal breast cells was not significant [79].
Fig. 11 Synthesis of glycopolymers by reaction of polymers bearing reactive p-nitrophenyl
carbonate with amine functional sugar
Fig. 12 Synthesis of glycopolymers by reaction of poly(azlactone) with amine functional sugar
54
Q. Zhang and D.M. Haddleton