Temperature/pH-responsive carmofur-loaded nanogels rapidly prepared via one-pot laser-induced emulsion polymerization

Tumor microenvironment-responsive nanogels loading antitumor drugs can improve the chemotherapy efficiency due to their suitable size, great hydrophilicity, excellent biocompatibility, and sensitivity to specific stimulation. Herein, a simple and effective strategy of one-pot laser-induced emulsion polymerization at 532 nm was developed to prepare carmofur-loaded nanogels based on biocompatible and temperature/pH-sensitive monomers including polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL), and 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The nanogels loading carmofur with dual-stimuli responsive drug release properties were rapidly obtained under laser irradiation (beam diameter 2.5 mm, laser power 60 mW) for only 100 s. These nanogels exhibited an average hydrodynamic diameter of 195.9 nm and a low polydispersity index of 0.115. The effect of monomer ratio on the size, morphology, double-bond conversion, and thermo/pH-sensitivity of nanogels was investigated. The cumulative carmofur release from nanogels at pH 5.0 within 48 h was nearly three times that at pH 7.4, while the release amount at 42 °C was twice that at 25 °C, showing the controlled and sustainable release with the change of pH and temperature. The in vitro release kinetics of carmofur was in accord with first-order release model.