Biodegradable hydrogel and methods for use thereof

Abstract

The subject matter of this invention relates to hydrogel compositions and, more particularly, to hydrogel compositions comprising block copolymers (BCPs) capable of self-assembly into nanoparticles for the delivery and controlled release of therapeutic cargos.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydrogel composition comprising:
 an AB diblock copolymer having a negatively charged A block; and   an ABA triblock copolymer having positively charged A blocks.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the AB diblock copolymer is a catechol-functionalized polycarbonate/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) AB diblock copolymer. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 2 , wherein the AB diblock copolymer has the structure of formula IV: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is between 1 and 10 and MPEG 10K  is 10 kDa methyl-poly(ethylene glycol). 
       
     
     
         4 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 3 , wherein m is 5. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ABA triblock copolymer includes A blocks containing either guanidine or thiouronium. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 5 , wherein the ABA triblock copolymer has the structure of formula II: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein x is between 1 and 10, n is 227, and TFA is trifluoroacetic acid. 
       
     
     
         7 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 6 , wherein x is 5. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 5 , wherein the ABA triblock copolymer has the structure of formula III: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is between 1 and 10 and n is 227. 
       
     
     
         9 . The hydrogel composition of  claim 8 , wherein m is 5. 
     
     
         10 . A micellar particle comprising:
 a hydrogel composition comprising:
 an AB diblock copolymer having a negatively charged A block; and 
 an ABA triblock copolymer having positively charged A blocks; and 
   at least one agent for delivery within the hydrogel composition.   
     
     
         11 . The micellar particle of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the AB diblock copolymer is a catechol-functionalized polycarbonate/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) AB diblock copolymer having the structure of formula IV:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is between 1 and 10 and MPEG 10K  is 10 kDa methyl-poly(ethylene glycol); and 
         the ABA triblock copolymer has the structure of formula II or formula III: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein x is between 1 and 10, n is 227, and TFA is trifluoroacetic acid 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is between 1 and 10 and n is 227.