The emerging importance of nanoparticles in drug delivery applications and the demanding needs of materials with biocompatibility and biodegradability have simulated efforts for engineering new materials based on new synthetic strategies. In the recent past, several advances have been made to synthesize hydrogels confined to micro- and nanometric dimensions (called micro- and nanogels).1 Nanogels have properties similar to those of their macrogel counterparts with some additional benefits for drug delivery. In particular, their dimensions can ensure a rapid response to certain environmental stimuli, which is attractive for triggered drug delivery. The development of such systems from natural polysaccharides, which are biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, requires however well-defined chemical modifications to control the formation of hydrogels at the nanometer scale and their stimuli-responsiveness.In this regard, we recently developed new approaches for the design of polysaccharide nanogels in physiological conditions. Using thiol-ene reactions and the aqueous core of liposomes as reaction vessels, we showed the ability to prepare well-defined chemical nanogels based on hyaluronic acid that can function as a template for multivalent conjugations for the triggered release of hydrophilic drugs.Moreover, taking advantage of the ability of hyaluronic acid to specifically interact with cancer cells over-expressing the CD44 receptor, we developed HA-based nanocarriers for poorly water-soluble anti-cancer drugs using a simple, yet efficient, temperature-triggered self-assembly process.2These new gel particles offer promising platforms for the controlled release of hydrophilic or hydrophobic drugs under certain external stimuli (magnetic field, light, irradiation, etc.). References  A. V. Kabanov, S. V. Vinogradov, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2009), 48, 5418.J. Jing, D. Alaimo, E. De Vlieghere, C. J�r�me, O. De Wever, B. G. De Geest, R. Auz�ly-Velty, submitted.

Polysaccharide-based responsive nanogels for controlled drug delivery

245th National Meeting (2013)

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