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Let There be Light: Polymeric Micelles with Upper Critical Solution Temperature as Light‐Triggered Heat Nanogenerators for Combating Drug‐Resistant Cancer
Author(s) -
Deng Yongyan,
Käfer Florian,
Chen Tingting,
Jin Qiao,
Ji Jian,
Agarwal Seema
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201802420
Subject(s) - nanocarriers , photothermal therapy , upper critical solution temperature , materials science , micelle , drug , drug delivery , nanotechnology , chemistry , lower critical solution temperature , copolymer , polymer , pharmacology , medicine , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , composite material
Complete drug release and efficient drug retention are two critical factors in reversing drug resistance in cancer therapy. In this regard, polymeric micelles with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) are designed as a new exploration to reverse drug resistance. The amphiphilic UCST‐type block copolymers are used to encapsulate photothermal agent IR780 and doxorubicin (DOX) simultaneously. The integrated UCST‐type drug nanocarriers show light‐triggered multiple synergistic effects to reverse drug resistance and are expected to kill three birds with one stone: First, owing to the photothermal effect of IR780, the nanocarriers will be dissociated upon exposure to laser irradiation, leading to complete drug release. Second, the photothermal effect‐induced hyperthermia is expected to avoid the efflux of DOX and realize efficient drug retention. Last but not least, photothermal ablation of cancer cells can be achieved after laser irradiation. Therefore, the UCST‐type drug nanocarriers provide a new strategy in reversing drug resistance in cancer therapy.