Functional targeting nanomicelles with ph-triggered peptide activation for improved drug delivery in lung cancer

Mild acidic environment and tumor angiogenesis are two typical features. The specific response toward lower pH may increase the targeting ability both for drug delivery. Herein, we present a responding self-assembled nanoparticle that is tumor angiogenesis targeting and pH triggered based on a novel recognition peptide DP. DP is pH-responsive as well as the affinity ligand of tumor marker EGFR. Efficient drug delivery and in vitro therapy in cell level could be accelerated in the conditions of EGFR overexpression and a mild acidic environment. We believed that such responsive materials will open a new way to turn on target imaging diagnostics and specific cancer therapies.