Multifunctional biodegradable polyacrylamide nanocarriers for cancer theranostics--a "see and treat" strategy.

ABSTRACT: We describe here the development of multifunctional nanocarriers, based on amine-functionalized biodegradable polyacrylamide nanoparticles (NPs), for cancer theranostics, including active tumor targeting, fluorescence imaging, and photodynamic therapy. The structural design involves adding primary amino groups and biodegradable cross-linkers during the NP polymerization, while incorporating photodynamic and fluorescent imaging agents into the NP matrix, and conjugating PEG and tumor-targeting ligands onto the surface of the NPs. The as-synthesized NPs are spherical, with an average diameter of 44 nm. An accelerated biodegradation study, using sodium hydroxide or porcine liver esterase, indicated a hydrogel polymer matrix chain collapse within several days. By using gel permeation chromatog

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3429656 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature