Triple stimulus-responsive polypeptide nanoparticles that enhance intratumoral spatial distribution.

Callahan, Daniel J; Liu, Wenge; Li, Xinghai; Dreher, Matthew R; Hassouneh, Wafa; Kim, Minkyu; Marszalek, Piotr; Chilkoti, Ashutosh · Nano Lett · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

To address the limited tumor penetration of nanoparticle drug delivery vehicles, we report the first pH-responsive polypeptide micelle that dissociates at the low extracellular pH of solid tumors. This histidine-rich elastin-like polypeptide block copolymer self-assembles at 37 °C into spherical micelles that are stabilized by Zn(2+) and are disrupted as the pH drops from 7.4 to 6.4. These pH-sensitive micelles demonstrate better in vivo penetration and distribution in tumors than a pH-insensitive control.

Medical subject headings