Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (Dec 2018)

Functional biomimetic nanoparticles for drug delivery and theranostic applications in cancer treatment

  • Lei Li,
  • Junqing Wang,
  • Hangru Kong,
  • Yun Zeng,
  • Gang Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2018.1528850
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 771 – 790

Abstract

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Nanotechnology has been extensively utilized in the design and development of powerful strategies for drug delivery and cancer theranostic. Nanoplatforms as a drug delivery system have many advantages such as in vivo imaging, combined drug delivery, extended circulation time, and systemic controlled release. The functional biomimetic drug delivery could be realized by incorporating stimuli-responsive (pH, temperature, redox potential, etc.) properties into the nanocarrier system, allowing them to bypass biological barriers and arrive at the targeted area. In this review, we discuss the role of internal stimuli-responsive nanocarrier system for imaging and drug delivery in cancer therapy. The development of internal stimuli-responsive nanoparticles is highlighted for precision drug delivery applications, with a particular focus on in vivo imaging, drug release performance, and therapeutic benefits.

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