Styrene-co-maleic anhydride-neocarzinostatin

Fig. 17 Structural representation of the anti-tumor agent (SMA)2NCS, a block copolymer of poly[styrene-co-(maleic anhydride)] coupled to the protein neocarzinostatin. By increasing the molecular weight of the protein, a passive form of tumor targeting occurs due to the increased vascular permeability associated with tumors. Reprinted with permission from [9]. Copyright 2003 Wiley. Adapted from [111]...

The cytotoxic neocarzinostatin (NCS) is a small protein (Mw 12 kD) associated with a low molecular weight chromophore. NCS is rapidly cleared by the kidney and its cytotoxicity is non-cell specific. To modify its disposition, two poly(styrene-co-maleic acid anhydride) copolymers (Mw 1,500) have been coupled to one molecule of NCS, to give styrene-maleic-anhydride-neocarcinostatin (SMANCS) systems. 

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