Synthesis and Application of Responsive Polymersomes

Abstract

Polymersomes as drug carriers make up for the shortcomings of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as easy to synthesize, short circulation time, early release, and continuous cytotoxicity. Responsive polymersomes can alter their properties such as composition, size, shape, and surface functional groups according to different stimuli, enabling the delivery of cargo at hydrophilic, hydrophobic or other specific sites, and the control of drug release. This article provides an overview of what is known about different types of responsive polymeric vesicles and describes the main design choices. In this review, the mechanism and advantages of four responsive polymersomes are discussed. Furthermore, the article focuses on the synthesis methods and applications of representative examples of each stimulus. In particular, the latest progress of four type of responsive polymersomes are emphasized. Finally, based on the great progress in the current research on responsive polymersomes, this paper discusses the potential for future development and selection of more biosafety responsive polymersomes directions.