Targeted drug delivery system using core/shell microgels containing magnetic nanoparticles and conjugated with specific ligands

Statement of Purpose: Since the cancer incidence is increasing year by year, various researches and treatment methods are being developed accordingly. However, it is still challengeable to completely cure the cancer. Chemotherapy has been widely used in cancer treatment due to the effectiveness in various clinical trials, however side effects can be caused by nonspecific drug delivery. In this study, we aim to develop a target-specific drug delivery system by binding of specific ligands that can bind receptors presenting outside the cell to be treated. In this study, the drug carriers were prepared based on biocompatibility hydrogels containing magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). Due to the presence of MNP in the hydrogels, an external magnetic field can attract the drug carriers, resulting the increase of the concentration near the cells. The effect of nanoparticles (NP) was demonstrated by treating the prepared NP with target cells and conducting various biological experiments.