Enzyme-responsive sulfatocyclodextrin/prodrug supramolecular assembly for controlled release of anti-cancer drug chlorambucilElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8cc09047e

Supramolecular drug delivery systems are becoming an increasingly important part in controlled drug release. In this work, we report a novel enzyme-responsive supramolecular assembly directly constructed using biocompatible sulfato-β-cyclodextrin (SCD) and an anti-cancer prodrug, i.e. choline modified anti-cancer drug chlorambucil (QA-Cbl). The supramolecular assembly acts as an effective drug delivery system via the controlled drug loading and enzyme-responsive drug release, because the butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) can cleave the ester bond of QA-Cbl prodrug, resulting in the release of anti-cancer drug chlorambucil (Cbl). Compared to other sophisticated drug delivery systems, the present system provides a feasible and functional approach for achievement of controlled drug release. A supramolecular assembly constructed using sulfatocyclodextrin and choline modified chlorambucil exhibits excellent enzyme-response activity and controlled drug release.