Synthesis of sulphated acrylic polymers and their evaluation as inhibitorsof basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent cell growth

Sulphated acrylic polymers have been synthesised and evaluated as potential inhibitors of basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent cell growth. The po lymers were synthesised with a range of molar masses using both a thermal r adical method and a room temperature reduction activation route. The polyme rs had bimodal molar mass distributions, but much of the low molar mass com ponent could be removed by dialysis. Some of these polymers were effective inhibitors, their effectiveness being dependent on the molar mass. IC50 val ues as low as 5 mug/ml could be obtained with up to 73% inhibition by 100 m ug/ml. These polymers are of interest as potentially readily accessible mat erials for cancer therapy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.