Controlled Actuation of Therapeutic nanoparticles: an Update on Recent Progress

Abstract

A primary envisioned use for nanoparticles (NPs) in a cellular context is for controlled drug delivery where the full benefit of NP attributes (small size, large drug cargo loading capacity) can improve the pharmacokinetics of the drug cargo. This requires the ability to controllably manipulate the release of the drug cargo from the NP vehicle or ‘controlled actuation’. In this review, we highlight new developments in this field from 2013 to 2015. The number and breadth of reports are a testament to the significant advancements made in this field over this time period. We conclude with a perspective of how we envision this field to continue to develop in the years to come.

Keywords:

• actuation
• nanoparticle
• therapeutic

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors acknowledge the NRL Base Funding Program and the NRL Institute for Nanoscience for financial support. Okhil K Nag and YungChia Chen are supported by Research Associateships through the NRC and ASEE, respectively. Lauren D Field and Ajmeeta Sangtani are PhD candidates in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland College Park, MD. USA. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.