Hollow double-layered polymer nanoparticles with S-nitrosothiols for tumor targeted therapy

Tumor targeted hollow double-layered polymer nanoparticles (HDPNs) with S-nitrosothiols for nitric oxide (NO)-release as chemotherapy were described. Via a two-stage distillation precipitation co-polymerization, simple post-treatment and S-nitrosothiol modification, the S-nitroso HDPNs showed pH and glucose dual responsiveness. This would benefit accurate binding with the sialic acid over-expressed cancer cells, providing prerequisites for the disulfide polymer assisted cell uptake, intracellular GSH induced decomposition and rapid NO release. Confocal microscopy and cytotoxicity assay with normal versus tumor cells demonstrated in vitro recognition, intracellular delivery ability and tumor cell targeting cytotoxicity. Especially worth mentioning, the inevitable small amount of NO leakage in the transmission would take part in normal physiological activities and not cause serious side effects, providing a possible solution to avoid the intolerable side effects of traditional chemotherapy treatments for cancer.