Nanomotor-Based Strategy for Enhanced Penetration across Vasculature Model

Abstract

Here the first nanomotor-based strategy is reported to effectively cross tumor vasculature endothelium. The designed nanomotors are based on (poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polystyrene and poly(acrylic acid)-b-polystyrene) building blocks, which further self-assemble into polymersomes of tunable sizes (100, 300 nm). The polymersomes are readily loaded with hydrophilic model drug into the aqueous compartment. A catalytic platinum cap is then partially deposited on the surface of the polymersome via electron beam evaporation, resulting in a polymersome Janus nanomotor. In a tumor vasculature model, these cargo-loaded polymersome nanomotors demonstrate enhanced penetration across the endothelium.