Smart drug delivery: Capping strategies for mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Abstract Systematic delivery of therapeutic agents to specific sites, with a stimulus-responsive drug release profile is currently a rapidly growing area. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are the useful platforms as drug/gene delivery systems due to their unique properties including the ability to control the pore size, high porosity, and morphology, which can directly affect the mechanism and profile of drug release. The appropriate fabrication strategy can tailor the particle shape and size, leading to enhanced delivery and release mechanisms. The MSN surface can be modified by using either organic or inorganic molecules to induce smart and site-specific drug delivery and release. Furthermore, application of molecules that function as pore gatekeepers with the ability to uncap via physiochemical stimuli can enhance the efficiency of drug delivery and release. This report aims to highlight the recent efforts and developments of strategies applied to render MSNs smarter and more effective for drug delivery applications.