“Smart” Polymer Nanogels as Pharmaceutical Carriers: A Versatile Platform for Programmed Delivery and Diagnostics

Abstract

Metrics & MoreArticle RecommendationsABSTRACT: "Smart" polymeric nanoformulations are evolving as a promising therapeutic, diagnostic paradigm. The polymeric nanovehicles demonstrated excellent capability to encapsulate theranostic cargos and their successful delivery in physiological conditions and even to monitor the therapeutic response. Currently, polymer nanogels (NGs) are established as capable carriers toward triggered delivery of diverse therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Notably, biodegradable and "intelligent" NGs constructed from intelligent polymers are highly beneficial because of their responsiveness toward endogenous as well as exogenous stimuli like pH gradients, bioresponsiveness, photoresponsiveness, temperature, and so on. In the past decade, plenty of multifunctional NGs with excellent targetability and sensitivity were reported for a wide range of theragnostic applications. This mini-review briefly propounds the synthesis strategies of "smart" NGs and summarizes the notable applications like delivery of genetic materials, anticancer agents, photodynamic/photothermal therapies, imaging, and biosensing. Herein, we have also addressed the current clinical status of NGs and the major challenges that are essential to overcome for the further advancement of NGs for specific applications.

Recent Advances in Hydrogel-Based Phototherapy for Tumor Treatment

“…Furthermore, various nanogel configurations can be synthesized, such as yolk–shell architectures, double-walled structures, hollow nanogels, and core-shell nanoparticles [ 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ]. Over the years, the biomedical applications of nanogels have been the subject of numerous review articles, many of which have examined the advancements made in drug delivery [ 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 ], regenerative medicine [ 112 , 113 ], imaging [ 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 ], diagnostics [ 118 , 119 , 120 ], theranostics [ 121 , 122 ], and tumor therapy [ 111 , 123 , 124 , 125 ].…”

Herceptin-Conjugated DOX-Fe3O4/P(NIPAM-AA-MAPEG) Nanogel System for HER2-Targeted Breast Cancer Treatment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…Therefore, nanocarriers have been used for encapsulating different materials, such as chemotherapy drug, fluorescent probes, and antibodies for drug delivery and tumor diagnosis. − Drug release could be triggered from the nanocarriers by environmental stimuli, for instance, pH, temperature, near-infrared light, redox, magnetic field, and ultrasound. , Nanogels have been extensively used in polymeric drug carriers because they are stable in the bloodstream and could load different materials. − Polymeric nanogels are easily prepared, , which could control drug release by different stimuli − Polymeric nanogels have a three-dimensional network structure, where the drug delivery could be adjusted by the cross-linking density and external stimuli . In addition to the targeted drug delivery, the synthesis of responsive nanogels with highly efficient drug loading and sustained release is considered as a crucial factor.…”

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“…Among various proposed ways of targeted cancer treatment, those using the nanopolymer-based vehicles are highly promising in practical applications (Min et al., 2015 ; Mi et al., 2020 ). Typical polymer-based delivery objects can have the form of micelles, capsules, and generally micro-, and nanogels (Zhao et al., 2018 ; Preman et al., 2021 ). Core-shell-based structures were also reported (Amir & Khatoon, 2019 ).…”