Light-responsive nanocarriers

In most cases, the as-obtained nanocarriers can release the loaded biomolecules in response to only one kind of external stimulus, such as light, pH, or temperature, and realize a monoresponsive nanochannel. However, the sensitivity of these nanocarriers is not very efficient. Even for NIR-triggered phototherapy, the effective penetration depth of NIR light is still limited to no more than 1 cm and its sensitivity and accuracy to treat tumors located deep inside the body is thus limited. Therefore, delivery systems triggered by at least two different inputs have recently been considered by researchers. Generally, in order to get dual-responsive nanocarriers, two kinds of smart materials or one material with two functional groups must be included in the same NP. For example, two kinds of responsive materials, such as PAA and PNIPAm, can be simultaneously employed in the a pH- and... 

Other than the nanocarriers responsive to the most common stimuli described above, there are various reports in the hterature on DDS that release their payload in response to other triggers, such as exogenous light, ultrasound and magnetic field, as well as endogenous glucose and ions.lhese are described briefly in the following subsections. 

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