[Reactive oxygen species stimuli-responsive nanocarriers]

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Nanocarriers, nanoscale delivery systems, enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity.
• Overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to various diseases.
• ROS stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are emerging for controlled drug release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in ROS-responsive nanocarriers and their linkers.
• To classify ROS-responsive linkers based on their chemical composition and responsive mechanisms.
• To discuss the in vivo applications and future directions of ROS-responsive nanocarriers.

Main Methods:

• Classification of ROS-responsive linkers into chalcogen-containing and other element-containing categories.
• Fabrication of nanocarriers by incorporating ROS-responsive linkers.
• Analysis of responsive mechanisms (e.g., phase transition, cleavage) upon ROS stimulation.

Main Results:

• Detailed discussion of various ROS-responsive linkers, including thioether, thioketal, selenide, diselenide, telluride, arylboronic ester, ferrocene, and peroxalate ester.
• Demonstration of controlled drug release from nanocarriers triggered by ROS.
• Evaluation of nanocarrier responsiveness and in vivo performance.

Conclusions:

• ROS-responsive nanocarriers represent a promising platform for intelligent drug release and precision medicine.
• Biocompatibility and biodegradability are critical factors for successful in vivo applications.
• Further research into novel ROS-responsive linkers and nanocarrier designs is warranted.