Synthesis and characterization of HPMA copolymer-5-FU conjugates

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide copolymer-5-fluorouracil (PHPMA-FU) conjugates were synthesized by a novel and simplified synthetic route, and characterized by UV, FTIR and HPLC analyses. The conjugated content of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was 3.41 ± 0.07 wt%. The stabilities of PHPMA-FU conjugates under different conditions were studied. The results showed that HPMA copolymer was a potential carrier for tumor-targeting delivery of 5-FU.