pH-responsive self-assembled nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery

Abstract

Recent advances in the field of drug delivery have opened new avenues for the development of novel nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) in cancer therapy. Self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) based on tumour microenvironment have great advantages in improving antitumor effect, and pH-responsive SANPs prepared by the combination of pH-responsive nanomaterials and self-assembly technology can effectively improve the efficacy and reduce the systemic toxicity of antitumor drugs. In this review, we describe the characteristics of self-assembly and its driving force, the mechanism of pH-responsive NDDS, and the nanomaterials for pH-responsive SANPs type. A series of pH-responsive SANPs for tumour-targeted drug delivery are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural features and theranostic performance.

Keywords:

• pH-responsive
• self-assembled nanoparticles
• nanomaterials
• targeted therapy
• antitumor drug delivery

Acknowledgements

The authors also acknowledge the support from High Level Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Disciplines of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy Platform of Experimental Center of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China (No. ZR2022MH173) and the Medical and Health Science and Technology Development Plan of Shandong Province, China (No. 202113020512).