Comparative Study of Polymer-Based Thermo-Responsive Systems for Enhanced Doxorubicin Delivery in Tumor-Specific Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in cancer treatment; however, its systemic toxicity and limited therapeutic efficacy often hinder optimal outcomes. Doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic agent, is widely used but suffers from severe side effects, including cardiotoxicity, due to its indiscriminate distribution throughout the body. To address these challenges, targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) have gained significant attention, particularly those utilizing thermo-responsive polymers. These polymers offer a unique advantage by enabling drug release in response to specific environmental stimuli, such as temperature changes, which can be controlled to release drugs at the tumor site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of polymer-based thermos-responsive systems for the targeted delivery of doxorubicin in tumor-specific chemotherapy. Four different formulations (F1, F2, F3, and F4) were synthesized using a combination of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). These formulations were characterized for their drug loading efficiency, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release behavior under varying temperatures. The results indicated that formulation F4 exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (88.1%) and drug loading (24.1%), with a temperature-responsive release profile that could be triggered at physiological temperatures. F4 demonstrated significant potential for improving the localized delivery of doxorubicin, thereby reducing systemic toxicity and enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, thermo-responsive polymer systems, especially formulation F4, offer a promising approach to overcoming the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. The ability to control drug release through external stimuli opens up new avenues for safer and more effective cancer treatments. These systems hold great potential for future clinical application and warrant further investigation through in vivo studies.