Targeted drug release system based on pH-responsive PAA-POSS nanoparticles

An amphipathic PAA-POSS@DOX drug delivery system that responds sensitively to pH changes in the cancer microenvironment has been developed using a nanoparticle based on inorganic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). POSS was introduced to the carboxylic acid group of polyacrylic acid to which doxorubicin anticancer drug was loaded to prepare 480 ± 192 nm self-assembled nanoparticles. PAA-POSS had a high loading efficiency of over 75% and doxorubicin was quickly released to the target area responding sensitively to weakly acidic conditions. The possibility of employing PAA-POSS as a targeted drug delivery system has been confirmed by observing the death of cells of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer line. pH-sensitive PAA-POSS@DOX nanoparticles were synthesized and showed high loading efficiency of over 75% and doxorubicin was quickly released to the target area. The ability of PAA-POSS@DOX to kill MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells has been demonstrated.