Design of stimuli-responsive dendrimers.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Dendrimers are synthetic macromolecules with well-defined structures, many terminal functional groups, and an inner space to hold small molecules. These properties make them potential drug carriers. Recently, stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems have become attractive because of the reduction of side effects and maximum expression of drug action.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

This paper reviews dendrimer nanoparticles that are sensitive to temperature, light, pH and redox state.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

Strategies to design these dendritic polymers are provided in this review.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

By adding stimuli-responsive properties to the dendrimers, dendritic polymers capable of controlled release can be produced. These stimuli-responsive dendrimers are a potential next generation drug carrier.