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Charge reversal nano-systems for tumor therapy
Peng Zhang1, Daoyuan Chen2, Lin Li2
1School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, 30 Qingquan Road, Yantai, 264005, Shandong, People's Republic of China. peng.zhang@ytu.edu.cn.
Charge-reversal nanocarriers, neutral or negative at physiological pH, become positive under specific stimuli. This strategy enhances drug delivery for cancer treatment by improving circulation and tumor cell uptake.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Surface charge significantly influences nanocarrier interaction with cells, affecting cellular uptake.
- Charge-reversal strategies offer a promising approach for drug delivery, particularly in cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in charge-reversal nanocarriers for drug delivery.
- To explore the impact of surface charge on cellular uptake and the mechanisms of charge conversion.
Main Methods:
- Summarized recent literature on charge-reversal nanocarriers.
- Analyzed charge-conversion mechanisms triggered by various stimuli (pH, redox, ROS, enzyme, light, temperature).
- Investigated the relationship between chemical structure and charge-reversal activity, and common polymeric materials used.
Main Results:
- Charge-reversal nanocarriers exhibit prolonged blood circulation and enhanced tumor cellular uptake.
- Specific stimuli trigger a transition from neutral/negative to positive surface charge, improving therapeutic efficacy.
- Understanding chemical structure-activity relationships guides the design of effective charge-reversal systems.
Conclusions:
- Charge-reversal nanocarriers represent a significant advancement in drug delivery, optimizing therapeutic agent delivery to tumors.
- The tunable surface charge enhances antitumor effects by improving pharmacokinetics and cellular internalization.
- Further research into stimuli-responsive materials will advance personalized cancer nanomedicine.
