The site-specific expression of selectins on endothelial cells of blood vessels during angiogenesis provides an opportunity to target anti-cancer drugs to the vascular endothelium to extend the range of the therapeutic effect. This invention describes an innovative drug targeting strategy for the selective delivery of the anticancer drugs to endothelial cells by means of polymer-drug conjugates modified with a carbohydrate ligand for the vascular selectins. A model chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin, and the E-selectin ligand, sLex, are attached to a biocompatible polymer (HPMA). The selective binding, cellular uptake, intracellular fate, and cell cytotoxicity of the polymer-bound drug are investigated in human endothelial cells.
