Design of stimuli-responsive dendrimers.
BACKGROUND
Dendrimers are synthetic macromolecules with well-defined structures, many terminal functional groups, and an inner space to hold small molecules. These properties make them potential drug carriers. Recently, stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems have become attractive because of the reduction of side effects and maximum expression of drug action.


METHODS
This paper reviews dendrimer nanoparticles that are sensitive to temperature, light, pH and redox state.


RESULTS
Strategies to design these dendritic polymers are provided in this review.


CONCLUSIONS
By adding stimuli-responsive properties to the dendrimers, dendritic polymers capable of controlled release can be produced. These stimuli-responsive dendrimers are a potential next generation drug carrier.
Kojima
Chie
C
Osaka Prefecture University, Twenty-first Century Research Institutes, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Center, Sakai, Osaka, Japan. c-kojima@21c.osakafu-u.ac.jp
D050091:Dendrimers; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015195:Drug Design; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008027:Light; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013696:Temperature
D050091:Dendrimers; D004337:Drug Carriers