Stimuli-Responsive Nanocomposite: Potential Injectable Embolization Agent
writer：Xiuli Chen,Lin Huang,1 Hao-Jan Sun, Stephen Z. D. Cheng, Mingqiang Zhu*, Guang Yang*
keywords：HCC, TAE, BC nanowhisker, PNIPAM, ATRP.
source：期刊
specific source：Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Volume 35, March 2014, Pages 579–584
Issue time：2014年
Abstract:
Liver cancer remains a significant medical problem and one promising therapeutic approach is to embolize the tumor to deprive it of blood nutrients. Current embolization methods have limitations and one emerging strategy is to use thermally-responsive gel-forming materials that can be injected but gel at the tumor site. We now report on thermoresponsive nanocomposites generated by grafting poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) side chains on bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers. We provide chemical and physical evidence for grafting and demonstrate a sol-gel transition when the temperature is increased above 34.3 °C. Cytotoxicity examination in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with 5 wt% nanocomposite demonstrated the excellence of the biocompatibility of these nanocomposites for use as embolic materials. These results suggest that the nanocomposites offer appropriate physical and biological properties for embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.