Tailoring of physicochemical properties of nanocarriers for effective anti‐cancer applications

Abstract

Nanotechnology has emerged strongly as a viable option to overcome the challenge of early diagnosis and effective drug delivery, for cancer treatment. Emerging research articles have expounded the advantages of using a specific type of nanomaterial-based system called as "nanocarriers," for anti-cancer therapy. The nanocarrier system is used as a transport unit for targeted drug delivery of the therapeutic drug moiety. In order for the nanocarriers to be effective for anticancer therapy, their physicochemical parameter needs to be tuned so that bio-functionalisation can be achieved to (1) allow drugs being attached to the substrate and for their controlled release, (2) ensure the stability of the nanocarrier up to the point of delivery, and (3) clearance of the nanocarrier after the delivery. It is therefore envisaged that tailoring of the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers can greatly influence their reactivity and interaction in the biological milieu, and this is becoming an important parameter for increasing the efficacy of cancer therapy. This review emphasizes the importance of physicochemical properties of nanocarriers, and how they influence its usage as chemotherapeutic drug carriers. The goal of this review is to present a correlation between the physicochemical properties of the nanocarriers and its intended action, and how their design based on these properties can enhance their cancer combating abilities while minimizing damage to the healthy tissues. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2906-2928, 2017.

Preparation of thermo/redox/pH‐stimulative poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N,N′‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) nanogels and their DOX release behaviors

“…However, from the application point of view, the normal human body temperature is far higher than the LCST of PNIPAM. The narrow LCST interval of PNIPAM is not conducive to its potential practical application in biomedical fields . Introducing a second hydrophilic monomer into PNIPAM by free radical polymerization can adjust the LCST of the polymer to some extent .…”

“…Various polymers with physicochemical response to stimuli can be precisely developed as potential drug-loaded systems. [1][2][3][4] Stimuli behaviors are studied at the target site through response to different environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, electric field, and certain chemical substances. [5][6][7] Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a typical example of thermosensitive polymers, and it exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of about 32 C. 5,6 However, from the application point of view, the normal human body temperature is far higher than the LCST of PNIPAM.…”

“…The narrow LCST interval of PNIPAM is not conducive to its potential practical application in biomedical fields. [4][5][6] Introducing a second hydrophilic monomer into PNIPAM by free radical polymerization can adjust the LCST of the polymer to some extent. 7 Methods usually used in the past for drug delivery applications still remain the pendant problems.…”

Recent Developments in the Area of Click‐Crosslinked Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery

“…Encapsulation of the drugs in nanocarriers can regulate drug release rate, increase drug accumulation in tumors, change in vivo drug distribution, and improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs . Tailoring physicochemical properties of nanocarriers has a dramatic impact on their interaction and reactivity in the biological environment . The size of nanocarriers greatly affects the endocytosis efficiency and the protein absorption on their surface .…”

“…[2] Tailoring physicochemical properties of nanocarriers has a dramatic impact on their interaction and reactivity in the biological environment. [3] The size of nanocarriers greatly affects the endocytosis efficiency and the protein absorption on their surface. [4] Shape, aspect ratio, and particle dimension are three main factors to determine the journey of nanocarriers to the blood vessel and the polymeric microcontainers resistant to deformation.…”