Recent Advances in pH-Sensitive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Smart Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy.
Rapid developments in the field of nanoparticles during the last decades have led to its increased application in drug delivery approaches. The advantages of nano-based drug delivery systems include improved therapeutic efficacy of drugs and the reduction of side effects.



This review aims to highlight advances in stimuli-triggered drug delivery approaches using polymeric nanoparticles with a focus on pH-sensitive drug- and theranostic delivery systems.



Of the various organic/inorganic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles have fulfilled an integral role in the advancement of drug delivery systems by virtue of the ease to incorporate and modify targeting moieties in combination with controlled drug release over prolonged periods. Furthermore, polymeric nanoparticles facilitate theranostic treatment by the incorporation of imaging agents in addition to therapeutics. Recently, stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles emerged as smart drug carriers, in which drug release is affected by physical and/or chemical structural changes induced by a specific stimulus (e.g. pH, temperature, and specific enzymes). The use of these nanocomposites reduces premature drug release and maintains effective drug levels at the pathological target.
Hazards monitoring BioNano Research Center and BioNano Health Guard Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.|Major of Nanobiotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
Eun-Kyung
EK
Lim
Hazards monitoring BioNano Research Center and BioNano Health Guard Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Korea.|Major of Nanobiotechnology and Bioinformatics, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea.
Bong Hyun
BH
Chung
Department of Chemistry and Molecular Targeting Research Center, Dongguk University, Seoul 100-715, Korea.
Sang J
SJ
Chung
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068936:Theranostic Nanomedicine
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers
Drug delivery; cancer therapy; drug carrier; nanoparticle; nanotechnology; pH-sensitive; theranostics.