| 초록 |
Nanoparticles, fabricated through self-assembly of polymeric amphiphiles,have emerged as promising carriers for the delivery of awide range of therapeutics, including small molecular drugs, proteins,and genes. Although traditional polymeric nanoparticles couldimprove pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drugs, thereremains a need to develop rationally designed smart nanocarriers capableof performing multiple tasks to realize more effective therapeuticoutcomes. In order to accomplish successful therapy, the nanocarriersshould possess the following traits: ability to encapsulate a quantity ofactive agents, high in vivo stability until reaching the site of action,enhanced accumulation at the target site, effective uptake by the specificcells, and capability to release the drug at the intended site of action.However, there exist significant challenges in developing nanocarrierswith all the above attributes. For instance, self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles areoften unstable upon dilution. After intravenous injection intothe dilute physiological environment, drug-loaded nanoparticles may undergo disassembly of the nanoparticles and prematurely releasetheir cargo before reaching their target, causing significant toxicity innormal tissues. In our group, various organic/inorganic nanoparticles, responsive to cancer-specific stimuli, have been investigated as the robust drug carrier for cancer therapy. When such nanoparticles are administered into tumor-bearing mice, they selectively accumulated into the tumor site. Theirin vivo tumor targetability were achieved via passive or active targeting mechanism. Once they reach the tumor site, the drug was rapidly released, primarily owing to the characteristic stimuli of tumor such as the low pH, reductive envionmnent, and hypoxic condition. Overall, the stimuli-sensitive nanoparticles might have promising potential as the drug carrier for cancer therapy. |
