pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles employed in controlled drug delivery systems for cancer treatment

• Published in: Cancer biology & medicine Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 34 - 43
• Main Authors: Yang, Ke-Ni, Zhang, Chun-Qiu, Wang, Wei, Wang, Paul C, Zhou, Jian-Ping, Liang, Xing-Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Chinese Anti-Cancer Association 01.03.2014; China Anti-Cancer Association
• Subjects: antineoplastic protocols; controlled drug release; drug delivery systems; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles; pH-responsive; pH响应性; Review; 二氧化硅纳米粒子; 介孔; 刺激响应性; 控制释放系统; 无机材料; 癌症治疗; 药物控释系统; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles; drug delivery systems; antineoplastic protocols; controlled drug release; pH-responsive
• ISSN: 2095-3941; 2095-3941
• DOI: 10.7497/j.issn.2095-3941.2014.01.003

In the fight against cancer, controlled drug delivery systems have emerged to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and safety of anti-cancer drugs. Among these systems, mesoporous silica nanoparticles （MSNs） with a functional surface possess obvious advantages and were thus rapidly developed for cancer treatment. Many stimuli-responsive materials, such as nanopartides, polymers, and inorganic materials, have been applied as caps and gatekeepers to control drug release from MSNs. This review presents an overview of the recent progress in the production of pH-responsive MSNs based on the pH gradient between normal tissues and the tumor microenvironment. Four main categories of gatekeepers can respond to acidic conditions. These categories will be described in detail.