Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A comparative study on inhibition of total astragalus saponins and astragaloside IV on TNFR1-mediated signaling pathways in arterial endothelial cells.

PloS one·2014

Same author

Recognition kinetics of biomolecules at the surface of different-sized spheres.

Biophysical journal·2014

Same author

A supercharged fluorescent protein as a versatile probe for homogeneous DNA detection and methylation analysis.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2014

Same author

Radiation-induced removal of sulphadiazine antibiotics from wastewater.

Environmental technology·2014

Same author

Effect of Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) on AMD-like lesions in ApoE-deficient mice.

Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences = Hua zhong ke ji da xue xue bao. Yi xue Ying De wen ban = Huazhong keji daxue xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen ban·2014

Same author

Overexpression of TRPM7 is associated with poor prognosis in human ovarian carcinoma.

Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP·2014

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent

MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent

Published on: September 3, 2013

A cancer-recognizable MRI contrast agents using pH-responsive polymeric micelle.

Kyoung Sub Kim¹, Wooram Park, Jun Hu

¹Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi do 420-743, Republic of Korea.

|October 22, 2013

Summary

New pH-responsive polymeric micelles act as cancer-recognizable MRI contrast agents. These agents detect small tumors by enhancing MRI signals in acidic tumor environments.

Keywords:

Cancer diagnosis Imaging agents Magnetic resonance imaging Micelles pH-responsive materials

More Related Videos

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Published on: August 28, 2015

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: July 21, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent

MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent

Published on: September 3, 2013

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Published on: August 28, 2015

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: July 21, 2011

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Materials Science
Radiology

Background:

Developing targeted MRI contrast agents is crucial for early cancer detection.
pH-responsive materials offer potential for tumor-specific delivery and imaging.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are widely used but require targeted strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop novel pH-sensitive polymeric micelles as cancer-recognizable MRI contrast agents (CR-CAs).
To investigate the pH-responsive behavior of these micelles in simulated tumoral environments.
To evaluate the efficacy of CR-CAs for in vivo tumor detection using MRI.

Main Methods:

Self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers (PEG-p(L-His) and PEG-p(L-LA)-DTPA-Gd) into spherical micelles (~40 nm at pH 7.4).
Investigation of micelle destabilization and charge change in acidic conditions (pH 6.5) due to p(L-His) protonation.
In vivo MRI studies at 1.5 T to assess tumor detection capabilities.

Main Results:

CR-CAs maintained spherical shape and size at physiological pH (7.4).
Micelles destabilized and became water-soluble positively charged polymers in acidic tumor environments (pH 6.5).
Highly effective T1 MR contrast enhancement was observed in the tumor region, enabling detection of small tumors (~3 mm³).

Conclusions:

pH-responsive polymeric micelles demonstrate effective cancer recognition and MRI contrast enhancement.
The pH-triggered destabilization mechanism allows for targeted signal amplification in acidic tumor microenvironments.
These CR-CAs show promise for early and accurate detection of small tumors via MRI.