Reinforcement of polymeric nanoassemblies for ultra-high drug loadings, modulation of stiffness and release kinetics, and sustained therapeutic efficacyElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8nr01978a

The optimization of current polymeric nanoparticle therapies is restricted by low drug loadings and limited tunability of core properties. To overcome these shortcomings, a novel self-association approach is utilized to fabricate a dual-loaded poly(1,2-glycerol carbonate)- graft -succinic acid-paclitaxel (PGC-PTX) conjugate nanoparticle (NP) in which the physical entrapment of free paclitaxel (PTX) affords unprecedented ultra-high drug loadings >100 wt%, modulation of mechanical stiffness, and tunable release kinetics. Despite high incorporation of free PTX (up to 50 wt%), the dual-loaded PGC-PTX nanocarriers ( i.e. , PGC-PTX + PTX NPs) exhibit controlled and sustained drug release over 15 days, without burst release effects. Importantly, optimization of drug/material efficiency concomitantly affords improved in vitro efficacy. In vivo , PGC-PTX + PTX NPs are safely administered at doses exceeding the median lethal dose of standard PTX, while a single high dose significantly extends survival relative to weekly PTX administrations in a murine model of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Beyond the MTD and LD 50 , use of novel ultra-high drug loaded nanoparticles.