| abstract |
Stimuli-responsive NPs with excellent stability, high loading efficiency, encapsulation of multiple agents, targeting to certain cells, tissues or organs of the body, can be used as delivery tools. These NPs contain a hydrophobic inner core and hydrophilic outer shell, which endows them with high stability and the ability to load therapeutic agents with high encapsulation efficiency. The NPs are preferably formed from amphiphilic stimulus-responsive polymers or a mixture of amphiphilic and hydrophobic polymers or compounds, at least one type of which is stimuli-responsive. These NPs can be made so that their cargo is released primarily within target certain cells, tissues or organs of the body, upon exposure to endogenous or exogenous stimuli. The rate of release can be controlled so that it may be a burst, sustained, delayed, or a combination thereof. The NPs have utility as research tools or for clinical applications including diagnostics, therapeutics, or combination of both. |