Cyclodextrin-based materials, compositions and uses related thereto

Abstract

This application discloses cyclodextrin-modified materials for carrying drugs and other active agents, such as nucleic acids. Compositions are also disclosed of cyclodextrin-modified materials that release such active agents under controlled conditions. The invention also discloses compositions of cyclodextrin-modified polymer carriers that are coupled to biorecognition molecules for assisting the delivery of drugs to their site of action.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A polymer composition comprising a linear biocompatible polymer including a plurality of inclusion hosts, and linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least two moieties that form inclusion complexes with the inclusion hosts, wherein the linking molecules crosslink the polymer. 
     
     
         2 . A polymer composition of  claim 1 , wherein the inclusion hosts are cyclodextrin moieties. 
     
     
         3 . A polymer composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one biologically active compound or a prodrug form thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A polymer composition of  claim 3 , wherein the biologically active compound is a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         5 . A polymer composition of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid is provided in a delivery system selected from a virus, a polymer, and a liposome. 
     
     
         6 . A method for transfecting a cell with a nucleic acid, comprising contacting the cell with a polymer composition of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         7 . A polymer composition of  claim 3 , wherein the compound is a polypeptide or a small organic molecule. 
     
     
         8 . A method for administering a biologically active compound to a patient, comprising administering to the patient a polymer composition of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         9 . A polymer composition of  claim 3 , wherein the compound is a protein or polypeptide. 
     
     
         10 . A polymer composition of  claim 3 , wherein the biologically active compound or prodrug form thereof is provided in a delivery system. 
     
     
         11 . A polymer composition of  claim 10 , wherein the delivery system is selected from microparticles and liposomes. 
     
     
         12 . A polymer composition of  claim 3 , wherein the biologically active compound is covalently attached to a moiety that forms an inclusion complex with the inclusion host. 
     
     
         13 . A polymer composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjuvant. 
     
     
         14 . A polymer composition of  claim 3 , further comprising an adjuvant that increases the effectiveness of the biologically active agent. 
     
     
         15 . A polymer composition comprising a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer including a plurality of inclusion hosts, and linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least two moieties that form inclusion complexes with the inclusion hosts, wherein the linking molecules crosslink the polymer. 
     
     
         16 . A polymer composition comprising a biocompatible polymer including a plurality of inclusion hosts, and linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least three moieties that form inclusion complexes with the inclusion hosts, wherein the linking molecules crosslink the polymer. 
     
     
         17 . A polymer composition comprising a biocompatible polymer including a plurality of cyclodextrin moieties, and linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least two moieties that form inclusion complexes with the cyclodextrin moieties, wherein each cyclodextrin moiety has no more than two bonds to the polymer backbone, and the linking molecules crosslink the polymer. 
     
     
         18 . A therapeutic composition comprising a) a biocompatible polymer including a plurality of inclusion hosts, b) linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least two moieties that form inclusion complexes with the inclusion hosts, and c) a therapeutic agent, 
       wherein the linking molecules crosslink the polymer. 
     
     
         19 . A method for preparing a crosslinked polymer, comprising combining a linear, biocompatible polymer including inclusion hosts with linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least two moieties that form inclusion complexes with the inclusion hosts. 
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 19 , wherein the inclusion hosts are cyclodextrins. 
     
     
         21 . A method of  claim 19 , wherein the polymer and linking molecules are combined in the presence of a biologically active agent. 
     
     
         22 . A method of  claim 21 , wherein the biologically active agent is covalently linked to a moiety that forms an inclusion complex with the inclusion hosts. 
     
     
         23 . A method for preparing a crosslinked polymer, comprising combining a polymer including inclusion guests with linking molecules, each linking molecule comprising at least two inclusion hosts that form inclusion complexes with the inclusion guests. 
     
     
         24 . A method of  claim 23 , wherein the inclusion hosts are cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         25 . A method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer and linking molecules are combined in the presence of a biologically active agent. 
     
     
         26 . A method of treating a disease, comprising administering to a patient an agent suitable for treating the disease in combination with a polymer composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the disease is cancer. 
     
     
         28 . A method of treating a wound, comprising applying to the wound a polymer composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the composition further comprises a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the agent is a nucleic acid encoding PDGF-B.