Programmable Photoswitchable Microcapsules Enable Precise and Tailored Drug Delivery from Microfluidics

Abstract

The development of precision personalized medicine poses a significant need for the next generation of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and one of the key challenges is the development of highly time-, space-, and dose-controllable drug delivery systems that respond to the complex physiopathology of patient populations. In response to this challenge, an increasing number of stimuli-responsive smart materials are integrated into biomaterial systems for precise targeted drug delivery. Among them, responsive microcapsules prepared by droplet microfluidics have received much attention. In this study, we present a UV-visible light cycling mediated photoswitchable microcapsule (PMC) with dynamic permeability-switching capability for precise and tailored drug release. The PMCs were fabricated using a programmable pulsed aerodynamic printing (PPAP) technique, encapsulating an aqueous core containing magnetic nanoparticles and the drug doxorubicin (DOX) within a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) composite shell modified by PEG-b-PSPA. Selective irradiation of PMCs with ultraviolet (UV) or visible light (Vis) allows for high-precision time-, space-, and dose-controlled release of the therapeutic agent. An experimentally validated theoretical model was developed to describe the drug release pattern, holding promise for future customized programmable drug release applications. The therapeutic efficacy and value of patternable cancer cell treatment activated by UV radiation is demonstrated by our experimental results. After in vitro transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), PMCs can be removed by external magnetic fields to mitigate potential side effects. Our findings demonstrate that PMCs have the potential to integrate embolization, on-demand drug delivery, magnetic actuation, and imaging properties, highlighting their immense potential for tailored drug delivery and embolic therapy.

Multiplex Signal Transduction and Output at Single Recognition Interface of Multiplexed Photoelectrochemical Sensors

“…In recent years, the stimulus regulation strategy of generating specific active molecules or ions as signal factors by specific chemical reactions has gradually gained attention compared with the strategy of generating corresponding small molecules as signal factors by specific enzyme-catalyzed reactions. − Specifically, smart response materials with specific chemical responses have been used to construct nanosignal probes with stimulus-responsive activity through self-assembly or surface chemical modification. − Under the combined influence of multiplex external stimulus regulation, corresponding signal probes are regulated to output signal factors that act on the sensor surface to regulate the photocurrent response, accomplishing the simultaneous detection of multiplex targets . The authors have primarily focused on applying stimulation as a means of regulating the output of multiple signal factors (Hg 2+ and SbO + ) in the multiplex detection process of PEC sensors to complete the simultaneous detection of two antibiotic resistance genes (T DNA1 and T DNA2 ) (Figure ).…”

Complex Emulsions as an Innovative Pharmaceutical Dosage form in Addressing the Issues of Multi-Drug Therapy and Polypharmacy Challenges

“…Triggers include pH [ 32 , 56 , 68 , 83 ], temperature [ 54 , 66 , 76 , 80 , 83 , 84 ], osmotic pressure [ 25 , 59 , 81 ], hydrolysis [ 61 , 63 ], ultrasound [ 85 ], mechanical [ 60 , 81 ], photothermal [ 56 ], and photo switching mechanisms [ 86 ]. However, most research is confined to pH, temperature-, and osmotic-pressure-induced drug release.…”

“…These results showcase the potential of complex emulsions for in vitro and in vivo applications. One of the most curious triggers for drug release in complex emulsions is reported by Guo et al, 2024 ( Figure 5 b) [ 86 ]. The authors designed a photo-switchable block copolymer, PEG-PSPA that is solubilized along with PLGA polymer within the middle oil phase of the double emulsion.…”

“…This compartmentalization ensures that each drug can exert its therapeutic effect without interference from or to other drugs present in the system. Additionally, tailored drug release capabilities of complex emulsions can further diminish the risk of interactions by carefully timing the release of each drug to avoid concurrent peak plasma concentrations [ 67 , 86 ]. Complex emulsions offer the flexibility to design tailored drug release profiles, ensuring that each encapsulated drug is released at the optimal rate and timing for its intended therapeutic effect.…”

“…( b ) Photo-switchable drug delivery carriers for programmable drug delivery in the presence of UV illumination (Reprinted/adapted with permission from Ref. [ 86 ]. 2023, American Chemical Society).…”