Thermo-Responsive Polymer-Based Nanoparticles: From Chemical Design to Advanced Applications

The review discusses thermo-responsive polymer-based nanoparticles, highlighting their potential in targeted drug delivery and advanced therapeutic strategies. These nanoparticles, made from amphiphilic copolymers, have a hydrophobic core for drug storage and a hydrophilic shell for stability. They respond to temperature changes, allowing controlled drug release in specific environments. Key polymers like PNIPAM, PEG, and POEGMA offer unique thermo-responsive behaviors, with applications in drug delivery, gene therapy, and imaging. The review emphasizes the importance of the lower and upper critical solution temperatures in designing these polymers for targeted drug release. Challenges such as biocompatibility and immune response need addressing before clinical application, with strategies including using FDA-approved materials and optimizing thermal sensitivity.