Development of pH-responsive core-shell nanocarriers for delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

In this paper new dendritic core-shell architectures with pH-labile linkers based on hyperbranched polyglycerol cores and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) shells were synthesized which encapsulate the anticancer agent doxorubicin and a dye for near-infrared imaging, an indotricarbocyanine. Acid-sensitive properties of the new nanocarriers and in vitro cytotoxicity of the doxorubicin-nanocarrier are presented as well as preliminary data regarding their toxicity and tumor targeting potential in nude mice.