Smart Nanoscale Drug Delivery Platforms from Stimuli-Responsive Polymers and Liposomes

Since the 1960's, stimuli-responsive polymers have been utilized as functional soft materials for biological applications such as the triggered-release delivery of biologically active cargos. Over the same period, liposomes have been explored as an alternative drug delivery system with potentials to decrease the toxic side effects often associated with conventional small-molecule drugs. However, the lack of drug-release triggers and the instability of bare liposomes often limit their practical applications, causing short circulation time and low therapeutic efficacy. This perspective article highlights recent work in integrating these two materials together to achieve a targetable, triggerable nanoscale platform that fulfills all the characteristics of a near-ideal drug delivery system. Through a drop-in, post-synthesis modification strategy, a network of stimuli-responsive polymers can be integrated onto the surface of liposomes to form polymer-caged nanobins, a multifunctional nanoscale delivery platform that allows for multi-drug loading, targeted delivery, triggered drug-release, and theranostic capabilities.