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Synthesis, Cellular Delivery and In vivo Application of Dendrimer-based pH Sensors
Published on: September 10, 2013
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Reduction-Triggered Paclitaxel Release Nano-Hybrid System Based on Core-Crosslinked Polymer Dots with a pH-Responsive
Seul Gi Kim1, Benny Ryplida2, Pham Thi My Phuong3
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 380-702, Korea. k.seulgi9797@gmail.com.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 31, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed novel polymer dots that release paclitaxel (PTX) in tumors. This smart drug delivery system uses pH and glutathione levels for targeted cancer therapy and imaging.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Developing targeted drug delivery systems is crucial for improving cancer chemotherapy efficacy.
- Polymer dots offer potential as nanocarriers due to their tunable properties and biocompatibility.
- Stimuli-responsive release mechanisms are needed to enhance drug accumulation at tumor sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize carbonized disulfide core-crosslinked polymer dots (L-PD) as pH-cleavable colorimetric nanosensors.
- To develop a reduction-triggered paclitaxel (PTX) release system for fluorescence imaging-guided chemotherapy.
- To investigate the selective theranosis of tumors based on tumor microenvironment conditions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of diol dye-conjugated fluorescent polymer dots (L-PD).
- Loading of paclitaxel (PTX) onto L-PD via π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions.
- Characterization of PTX release under physiological and tumor microenvironment conditions (acidic pH, high glutathione concentration).
- Evaluation of fluorescence quenching and recovery for imaging-guided drug release.
Main Results:
- The nano-hybrid system exhibited fluorescence quenching under physiological conditions with minimal PTX release (<2%).
- In a tumor microenvironment, fluorescence recovered at acidic pH, and efficient PTX release (~100%) was observed due to glutathione-induced reduction.
- The system demonstrated selective drug delivery into cancer cells, enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- The developed polymer dots function as effective pH-cleavable colorimetric nanosensors for distinguishing between normal and cancerous tissues.
- The reduction-triggered paclitaxel release system shows significant potential for improved cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.
- This smart nanosensor enables selective PTX delivery into cancer cells, enhancing treatment outcomes.
