The control of nanocarrier physicochemical properties enables efficient biological functions such as biocompatibility and cancer cell death. Among the different nanocarriers developed, biodegradable silica nanocarriers have been widely studied because of their tunable surface properties. Chemical modification with affinity ligands such as small molecules, fluorophores, and antibodies, along with stimuli responsive coatings, enables enhanced internalization of drug loaded nanocarriers at the target site. Surface conjugation chemistry increase the interaction of drug loaded nanocarriers with tumor cells or inflamed tissues and control the release kinetics of different therapeutic molecules, including hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug inhibitors. Overall, the project focuses on tumor targeting, different stimuli in the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as pH and temperature, and control over drug release behavior.
