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Specific pH‐Responsive Folate‐Conjugate Microgels Designed for Antitumor Therapy
Author(s) -
PérezAlvarez Leyre,
SáezMartínez Virginia,
Hernaez Estíbaliz,
Herrero M.,
Katime Issa
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.200800496
Subject(s) - conjugate , chemistry , folic acid , self healing hydrogels , conjugated system , swelling , colloid , drug carrier , drug delivery , biophysics , polymer chemistry , combinatorial chemistry , nuclear chemistry , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , polymer , medicine , mathematical analysis , mathematics , engineering , biology
Colloidal nanosized folate‐conjugated hydrogels for targeted chemotherapy were prepared via a versatile and efficient postsynthetic modification pathway starting from P(NPA ‐co‐ NIPAM). The modifications included the introduction of 4‐methylpyridine as pH‐sensitive pendant groups and the conjugation of folic acid to the microgel network. The microgels showed a specific swelling at pH < 6 (endosomes) as judged by DLS studies varying the external pH. The relative composition of the microgels shows a clear influence on the pH volume transition shifting. The potential of the microgels for anticancer drug release at pH = 5.0 was confirmed. Therefore, they are a promising targeting carrier for improved anticancer chemotherapy.