Acetalated Dextran (Ac-DEX) in Targeted Drug Delivery and Cancer Immunotherapy: A Multipurpose Biodegradable Polymer.
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| Title: | Acetalated Dextran (Ac-DEX) in Targeted Drug Delivery and Cancer Immunotherapy: A Multipurpose Biodegradable Polymer. |
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| Authors: | Thakkar, Aryan1 (AUTHOR), Bhattacharya, Sankha1 (AUTHOR) sankhabhatt@gmail.com |
| Source: | Journal of Macromolecular Science: Physics. 2026, Vol. 65 Issue 7, p1097-1112. 16p. |
| Subjects: | Targeted drug delivery, Biodegradable materials, Vaccination, Nanoparticles, Immunotherapy |
| Abstract: | Dextran is the source of Acetalated Dextran (Ac-DEX), a biodegradable polymer that has been acetalated to increase its stability and hydrophobicity. Particularly in acidic settings, like tumor tissues, where it can release therapeutic drugs with increased efficiency and less harm to normal cells, its peculiar pH-sensitive breakdown properties make it extremely beneficial for targeted drug delivery. Because Ac-DEX can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic medications, it can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes, such as the administration of vaccines and the treatment of cancer. Acetal groups that hydrolyze in acidic environments are added during the manufacture of Ac-DEX, enabling regulated drug release in certain settings such as tumor microenvironments or lysosomes. This characteristic reduces systemic side effects and promotes localized medication delivery. Its structural integrity, molecular weight distribution and particle size were evaluated in our research described here using various characterization methods such, as dynamic light scattering (DLS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Using techniques, like emulsion solvent evaporation and microfluidics, Ac-DEX-based drug delivery systems may be formed into nanoparticles and microparticles, improving encapsulation efficiency and scalability for pharmaceutical manufacturing. By binding ligands or antibodies to the polymer's surface, surface engineering techniques enable active targeting of particular cells or tissues, further enhancing targeted delivery. Recent developments demonstrate Ac-DEX's promise for environmental stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, which might improve precision medicine's therapeutic results. Ac-DEX technology is positioned as a viable contender to transform medication delivery and immunotherapy in biomedical domains through ongoing research aimed at bringing it from experimental to clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Dextran is the source of Acetalated Dextran (Ac-DEX), a biodegradable polymer that has been acetalated to increase its stability and hydrophobicity. Particularly in acidic settings, like tumor tissues, where it can release therapeutic drugs with increased efficiency and less harm to normal cells, its peculiar pH-sensitive breakdown properties make it extremely beneficial for targeted drug delivery. Because Ac-DEX can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic medications, it can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes, such as the administration of vaccines and the treatment of cancer. Acetal groups that hydrolyze in acidic environments are added during the manufacture of Ac-DEX, enabling regulated drug release in certain settings such as tumor microenvironments or lysosomes. This characteristic reduces systemic side effects and promotes localized medication delivery. Its structural integrity, molecular weight distribution and particle size were evaluated in our research described here using various characterization methods such, as dynamic light scattering (DLS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Using techniques, like emulsion solvent evaporation and microfluidics, Ac-DEX-based drug delivery systems may be formed into nanoparticles and microparticles, improving encapsulation efficiency and scalability for pharmaceutical manufacturing. By binding ligands or antibodies to the polymer's surface, surface engineering techniques enable active targeting of particular cells or tissues, further enhancing targeted delivery. Recent developments demonstrate Ac-DEX's promise for environmental stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, which might improve precision medicine's therapeutic results. Ac-DEX technology is positioned as a viable contender to transform medication delivery and immunotherapy in biomedical domains through ongoing research aimed at bringing it from experimental to clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00222348 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00222348.2025.2488172 |
