Biocompatible pH-responsive nanoparticles with a core-anchored multilayer shell of triblock copolymers for enhanced cancer therapyElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details including synthesis, experimental procedure and supporting data. See DOI: 10.1039/c7tb00654c

• Main Authors: Ellis, Elizabeth, Zhang, Kangyi, Lin, Qianyu, Ye, Enyi, Poma, Alessandro, Battaglia, Giuseppe, Loh, Xian Jun, Lee, Tung-Chun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2050-750X; 2050-7518
• DOI: 10.1039/c7tb00654c

Drug nanocarriers are synthesised via a facile self-assembly approach using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as a structural core. The nanocarriers feature a multilayer shell of POEGMA-PDPA-PMPC triblock copolymers with a chain-end thiol functional group for anchoring to the Au NP surface. This water-soluble triblock copolymer was synthesised via atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) from a bi-functional initiator containing a disulphide bridge. The resultant nanocarriers exhibit high biocompatibility plus excellent colloidal stability and antifouling capability in bio-media (50% PBS/FBS). Encapsulation and release of a hydrophobic drug can be effectively triggered by a pH-stimulus. Meanwhile drug-loaded nanocarriers show enhanced efficacy towards cancer cells compared to plain drug. pH-Responsive drug nanocarriers were made via facile self-assembly, showing excellent stability in bio-media (50% PBS/FBS) and enhanced drug efficacy towards cancer cells.