pH-Sensitive Biomaterials for Drug Delivery
Shijie Zhuo1, Feng Zhang1, Junyu Yu1
1Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 3, 2020
Summary
pH-sensitive drug delivery systems utilize acidic microenvironments in diseased tissues for targeted therapy. These systems protect drugs during circulation and release them responsively, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Precise and personalized medicine demands advanced formulation strategies for targeted drug delivery.
- Acidic microenvironments in diseased tissues, particularly in cancer, offer opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions.
- pH-sensitive drug delivery systems can protect payloads during circulation and enable triggered release in pathological sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review pH-sensitive drug delivery systems for medical applications.
- To focus on pH-sensitive linkage bonds and biomaterials for responsive drug release.
- To highlight the potential of these systems in enhancing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing side effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pH-sensitive drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of methodologies for fabricating pH-responsive materials, including acidic cleavage linkages.
- Focus on biomaterials designed for pH-triggered drug release.
Main Results:
- pH-sensitive biomaterials show promise for protecting therapeutic payloads from degradation.
- Responsive release of therapeutics is achievable in acidic pathological microenvironments.
- These systems are particularly relevant for cancer treatment applications.
Conclusions:
- pH-sensitive drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement in targeted therapy.
- The development of novel pH-sensitive linkage bonds and biomaterials is crucial for personalized medicine.
- Responsive drug release strategies can lead to improved treatment efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity.
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