Gel-forming block copolymers were prepared comprising i) a central hydrophilic block consisting essentially of a divalent poly(ethylene oxide) chain and ii) two peripheral monocarbonate or polycarbonate hydrophobic blocks. The hydrophobic blocks comprise one or more vitamin-bearing subunits. The vitamin-bearing subunits comprise a carbonate backbone portion and a side chain comprising a covalently bound form of a vitamin. The gel-forming block copolymers can be used to prepare various biodegradable and/or biocompatible hydrogel and organogel drug compositions, in particular antimicrobial and/or anti-tumor drug compositions. The hydrogel compositions can be suitable for depot injections. Synergistic enhancement of toxicity to microbes was observed with compositions comprising an antimicrobial cationic polymer and an antimicrobial compound.

Vitamin E-based amphiphilic copolymers are disclosed. Compositions containing vitamin E-based amphiphilic copolymers and/or nanocarriers are also disclosed. Methods of making vitamin E-based amphiphilic copolymers and/or nanocarriers and methods of using vitamin E-based amphiphilic copolymers and/or nanocarriers are also disclosed.

There is provided a fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following formula: R.sup.1R.sup.2CH.sub.2R.sup.3[CH.sub.2R.sup.4CH.sub.2R.sup.3].sub.nCH.sub.2R.sup.5R.sup.6 (n is 1 or 2; R.sup.3 and R.sup.3 are a perfluoropolyether chain; R.sup.4 is a divalent linking group having one polar group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 are a divalent linking group having one or more polar groups; R.sup.2 has an oxygen atom at an end that is bonded to R.sup.1; R.sup.5 has an oxygen atom at an end that is bonded to R.sup.6; R.sup.1 and R.sup.6 in end group bonded to an oxygen atom at an end of R.sup.2 or R.sup.5; and R.sup.1 and R.sup.6 are an organic group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, and at least one of them is a group in which a carbonyl carbon atom or nitrogen atom constituting an amide bond is bonded to a carbon atom of an organic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms).