Redox-responsive polymer prodrug/AgNPs hybrid nanoparticles for drug delivery

A drug carrier system of the hybrid nanoparticles based on the redox-responsive P[(2-((2-((camptothecin)-oxy)ethyl)disulfanyl)ethylmethacrylate)-co-(2-(d-galactose)methylmethacryl-ate)] (P(MACPTS-co-MAGP)) and AgNPs is developed to deliver the anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT) and monitor the drug release by the recovery of the fluorescence of CPT. CPT is linked to the polymer side-chains via a redox-responsive disulfide bond, attaching on the surface of AgNPs and leading to the quenching of CPT fluorescence (“off” state) due to the nanoparticle surface energy transfer (NSET) effect. Upon the exposure to glutathione (GSH), the disulfide bond is cleaved to release CPT, resulting in the recovery of the fluorescence of CPT (“on” state). The system offers a platform to track the CPT delivery and releasing in real time