Transcript pH-Sensitive Biomaterials

pH-Sensitive Biomaterials
Patrick Hamilton, URI Biomedical Engeering
Order of Presentation
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Introduction
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Targeted tumor removal
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
Polymers
pH Sensitivity
How it is possible
Pros and cons of the technology
Introduction
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2 main types of pH-sensitive molecules
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Acidic (COOH or SO3H), which swell in a basic solution
Basic (NH2), which swell in an acidic solution
Change in pH is used in order to ionize the functional
groups above in a polymer, or a very large molecule that
has a repeating chain
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When ionized, the release of whatever is contained within the
polymer (usually medicine) can take place
http://people.clarkson.edu/~ekatz/Signalresponsive7.jpg
Targeted tumor removal
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One function of these polymers right now is for use in
targeted tumor treatment
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By targeting the tumor from inside the body, medicine
that could be harmful to healthy cells is better contained
in the area that needs it
Tumor removal (cont.)
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During testing, they were able to show that in a more
acidic solution (pH 6.0), the polymer would open up, thus
releasing the GFP from inside, which could then be picked
up by imaging software
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Proof of concept for using this technology for drug
delivery
Study: Chang Yoon Moon, Joung-Woo Choi, Dayananda Kasala, Soo
Jung Jung, Sung Wan Kim, Chae-Ok Yun, Dual tumor targeting with
pH-sensitive and bioreducible polymer-complexed oncolytic
adenovirus, Biomaterials, Volume 41, February 2015, Pages 53-68,
ISSN 0142-9612, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.11.02
Ph-Sensitive Polymers
Pros
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Much more targeted drug
delivery than could be
obtained than before
Cons
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Only in use for testing
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Early stages of trial, not
going to be commercially
available for a bit
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Every body is different
Less likely for poor side
effects
Conclusion
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pH sensitive polymers have the possibility to do great
things for some terrible treatments by targeting the
effected area
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Even with this great promise, we are far off from any sort
of regular implementation
Questions?
Thanks!