Blending thermosensitive polymers with ph sensitive polymers for drug delivery

[issac newton]

i am interested in discussing about the pros and cons of having a vesicle of ph sensitive polymer (with drug to be delivered inside it), inside a vesicle of thermosensitive polymer for drug delivery. This gives us dual control capabilities that is temperature and ph based trigger mechanism.things i need to know about this are

1. is this method a novel approach for drug delivery, for a disease which needs a local site and ph change for drug release.

2. the ph sensitive polymer works based on feedback approach like the release of drug is based on ph change in the system.external triggering is involved for temperature change.

3. what are the difficulties in design of such drug delivery approach.

4. can i use this method specifically for some disease preferably(like some particular cancer demanding temperature and ph conditions) ?

thank you all.

 

[chill_factor]

does a pH sensitive polymer even exist that would exhibit physical changes on a useful timescale?

 

[gravenewworld]

does a pH sensitive polymer even exist that would exhibit physical changes on a useful timescale?

Oh yes.

Dendrimers:

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q...a=X&ei=VYXQUNKlGayz0QGSyYG4Ag&ved=0CDQQgQMwAA


Many other types of nanoparticles are supposed to be designed to degrade or release as they become encapsulated in endosomes, which have a lower pH.


I imagine difficulty of design for something like the OP is talking about is trying to maintain zero order release kinetics, which is always a challenging issue with nanoparticles for drug delivery. Even if that is solved, the next problem is that many nanoparticles have problems with forming aggregates.

 

[gravenewworld]

i am interested in discussing about the pros and cons of having a vesicle of ph sensitive polymer (with drug to be delivered inside it), inside a vesicle of thermosensitive polymer for drug delivery. This gives us dual control capabilities that is temperature and ph based trigger mechanism.things i need to know about this are

1. is this method a novel approach for drug delivery, for a disease which needs a local site and ph change for drug release.

2. the ph sensitive polymer works based on feedback approach like the release of drug is based on ph change in the system.external triggering is involved for temperature change.

3. what are the difficulties in design of such drug delivery approach.

4. can i use this method specifically for some disease preferably(like some particular cancer demanding temperature and ph conditions) ?

thank you all.

Yes, you could use it for cancer. Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat, so if you had a thermosensitive polymer, you could target cancer cells with heat, and they should only die as opposed to normal cells/tissue. Then you could have release of your anti-cancer drug to kill off any remaining cancer cells. I guess that's what you're thinking about? Another issue is making sure your polymers themselves are not toxic, which is always another big issue.

 

[LudusRex]

As a scientist in the field of drug delivery, I am excited to discuss the potential benefits and challenges of using a combination of thermosensitive and pH sensitive polymers for drug delivery. This approach offers a unique dual control mechanism for drug release, which can be particularly useful for diseases that require a specific local site and pH change for effective treatment.

One of the main advantages of this method is its potential for targeted drug delivery. By encapsulating the drug in a pH sensitive polymer vesicle, we can ensure that it will only be released at the desired site where the pH has changed. This can minimize potential side effects and improve the efficacy of the treatment. Additionally, the ability to also trigger drug release based on temperature changes through the thermosensitive polymer vesicle can provide even more precise control over the drug delivery process.

In terms of novelty, this approach has been studied and utilized in various drug delivery systems, but it is still a relatively new and promising strategy. It has shown potential in treating diseases such as cancer, where specific pH and temperature conditions are often present in the tumor microenvironment.

One potential challenge in designing this drug delivery approach is finding the optimal balance between the two polymers. The pH sensitive polymer must be able to respond to the desired pH change and release the drug, while the thermosensitive polymer must be able to respond to the appropriate temperature to trigger drug release. Additionally, the compatibility of the two polymers and their ability to form stable vesicles must also be considered.

While this method has potential for various diseases, its effectiveness may vary depending on the specific disease and its requirements for drug release. Further research and testing are needed to determine the ideal conditions for using this approach and its potential limitations.

Overall, the combination of thermosensitive and pH sensitive polymers for drug delivery offers a promising strategy for targeted and controlled drug release. However, more research is needed to fully understand its potential and limitations before it can be applied to specific diseases.