1. pH-Sensitive Biomaterials
Patrick Hamilton, URI Biomedical Engeering

2. Order of Presentation Introduction Targeted tumor removal
Polymers
pH Sensitivity
Targeted tumor removal
How it is possible
Pros and cons of the technology

3. Introduction 2 main types of pH-sensitive molecules
Acidic (COOH or SO3H), which swell in a basic solution
Basic (NH2), which swell in an acidic solution
Change in pH is used in order to ionize the functional groups above in a polymer, or a very large molecule that has a repeating chain
When ionized, the release of whatever is contained within the polymer (usually medicine) can take place

5. Targeted tumor removal
One function of these polymers right now is for use in targeted tumor treatment
By targeting the tumor from inside the body, medicine that could be harmful to healthy cells is better contained in the area that needs it

7. Tumor removal (cont.)
During testing, they were able to show that in a more acidic solution (pH 6.0), the polymer would open up, thus releasing the GFP from inside, which could then be picked up by imaging software
Proof of concept for using this technology for drug delivery
Study: Chang Yoon Moon, Joung-Woo Choi, Dayananda Kasala, Soo-Jung Jung, Sung Wan Kim, Chae-Ok Yun, Dual tumor targeting with pH-sensitive and bioreducible polymer-complexed oncolytic adenovirus, Biomaterials, Volume 41, February 2015, Pages 53-68, ISSN ,

8. Ph-Sensitive Polymers
Pros
Cons
Much more targeted drug delivery than could be obtained than before
Less likely for poor side effects
Only in use for testing
Early stages of trial, not going to be commercially available for a bit
Every body is different

9. Conclusion
pH sensitive polymers have the possibility to do great things for some terrible treatments by targeting the effected area
Even with this great promise, we are far off from any sort of regular implementation

10. Questions?
Thanks!