Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

20.7K

Escape from cell uptake: Drug-Free cancer therapeutics regulated by hydrophobicity and negative charge

Kazuki Moroishi1,2, Masahiko Nakamoto1, Satoshi Fujita2

  • 1Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan.

Materials Today. Bio
|February 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Engineered polymer nanoparticles show promise for cancer treatment by disrupting cell membranes. Adjusting polymer properties enhances tumor microenvironment-responsive cytotoxicity and selective cell death induction.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Stimuli-responsive self-aggregation and cell membrane disruption are promising cancer treatment strategies.
  • Current limitations include insufficient cytotoxicity and low selectivity due to poor understanding of molecular characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer polymer aggregation for improved tumor microenvironment-responsive cytotoxicity.
  • To investigate the relationship between polymer grafting degree and cell membrane interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol-ursodeoxycholic acid (PVA-U) with varying grafting degrees (3%, 15%, 25%).
  • Evaluation of aggregation properties and cytotoxicity at different pH levels (7.4 and 6.5).
  • Analysis of polymer interaction with cancer cells (adsorption vs. internalization).

Main Results:

  • PVA-U15 demonstrated significantly higher tumor microenvironment-responsive cytotoxicity compared to PVA-U25.
  • PVA-U15 preferentially adsorbed onto the cell surface, inducing cell death.
  • PVA-U3 and PVA-U25 were internalized by cells, suggesting a balance of surface charge and hydrophobicity influences cell membrane interaction.

Conclusions:

  • Controlling the grafting degree of ursodeoxycholic acid in PVA-U polymers can regulate tumor microenvironment-responsive cytotoxicity.
  • Surface properties of engineered polymers dictate their interaction with cancer cell membranes, impacting cell death induction.
  • Findings support the development of polymer-based membrane disruption strategies for targeted cancer therapy.
Keywords:
Cancer therapyDrug delivery systempH-responsive aggregation

More Related Videos

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model09:29

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model

Published on: March 20, 2020

18.9K
Uptake of New Lipid-coated Nanoparticles Containing Falcarindiol by Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells09:34

Uptake of New Lipid-coated Nanoparticles Containing Falcarindiol by Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Published on: February 9, 2019

9.4K

Related Concept Videos

Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
38.5K
Drug Regulation01:25

Drug Regulation

Drug regulation encompasses the management of drug usage by evaluating its safety and efficacy through assessments conducted by regulatory authorities. Regrettably, the history of drug regulation is marred by several catastrophic events. One such incident is the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which the toxic compound diethyl glycol was included in a sweet-tasting medication, leading to numerous fatalities. This event prompted the enactment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Under...
3.0K
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake01:21

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake

Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...
1.6K
Formal Charges02:42

Formal Charges

In some cases, there are seemingly more than one valid Lewis structures for molecules and polyatomic ions. The concept of formal charges can be used to help predict the most appropriate Lewis structure when more than one reasonable structure exists.
40.5K
Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects01:21

Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects

Antipsychotic drugs primarily block dopamine and serotonin receptors and cholinergic, adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors, thereby reducing hallucinations and delusions in conditions like schizophrenia. However, they can trigger unwanted extrapyramidal effects such as dystonias, Parkinson-like symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia.
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
832
Ions and Ionic Charges03:27

Ions and Ionic Charges

In ordinary chemical reactions, the nucleus — which contains the protons and neutrons of each atom and thus identifies the element — remains unchanged. Electrons, however, can be added to atoms by transfer from other atoms, lost by transfer to other atoms, or shared with other atoms. The transfer and sharing of electrons among atoms govern the chemistry of the elements. During the formation of some compounds, atoms gain or lose electrons to form electrically charged particles called...
79.1K