Pluronic-Based Core/Shell Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Diagnosis

Yon   Woo   Jung; Hwanbum      Lee; Jae   Yeon   Kim; Eun   Jin   Koo; Keun   Sang   Oh; Soon   Hong   Yuk

doi:10.2174/09298673113209990036

Abstract

Pluronic-based core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) were formed using various strategies such as self-assembly and temperature induced-phase transition. To improve their functionality as a nanomedicine for diagnosis and therapy, the vesicle fusion and layer by layer approach were employed. Because of the hydrophilic nature of the Pluronic shell and the relatively small size, Pluronic-based core/shell NPs were used in order to improve their pharmacokinetic behaviors in drugs and in imaging agents. This review will introduce various types of Pluronic-based core/shell NPs according to their preparation method and formation mechanism. The focus will be on the Pluronic-based core/shell NPs for tumor targeting, stimulated release of proteins, and cancer imaging capabilities.

Keywords: Antitumor efficacy, cancer targetability, chitosan/heparin composite, core/shell nanoparticles, enhanced permeability and retention effect, layer-by-layer approach, molecular imaging agent, Pluornics, Pluronic/liposome composite nanoparticles, polyethylene glycol, protein drug, self-assembly, temperature-induced phase transition, vesicle fusion.