pH-sensitive polymers for cytoplasmic drug delivery

Abstract

The pH-sensitive drug delivery systems could be triggered by a mild acidic environment, such as that occurring in solid tumors, inflammatory tissues and intracellular endosomal compartments. Moreover, the cytoplasmic delivery of internalized macromolecules (such as oligonucleic acid, siRNA, DNA, proteins and polymer–antibody complex) will be possible. Synthetic polymers – such as polyanions (acrylic acid derivatives) and polycations (poly ethylenimine and chitosan complexes) – are among the most popular compounds studied for intracellular trafficking of drugs. As research is progressing in the area of cytoplasmic delivery, many novel and innovative applications making use of the unique properties of pH-sensitive polymers are expected in the future.

Keywords::

• chitosan complexes
• cytoplasmic delivery
• endosomes
• pH-sensitive polymers