Researchers from Okayama University of Japan and CNRS, University of Strasbourg, France have taken a significant step toward this. Their work created pH-responsive graphene-based nanocarriers to improve cancer drug delivery. Led by Professor Yuta Nishina, the research team has focused on an exhilarating endeavor. They’re showing how different nanomaterials interact with circulating proteins and cells in vivo, potentially opening new avenues for cancer immunotherapies and more.
The research also presented an innovative pH-responsive GO/PG/DMMA nanomaterial. Remarkably, this novel material changes charge in acidic conditions, enabling attachment specifically to tumor cells and development of targeted drug delivery. The results were published in the journal Small on 1 June 2025. This was a major breakthrough in the burgeoning field of nanomedicine.
Development of the Nanomaterial
The research team meticulously analyzed three variations of the graphene oxide-polyglycerol-DMMA (GOPG-DMMA) material: GOPGNH115, GOPGNH60, and GOPGNH30. Each iteration had increasingly higher amino group densities. Collectively, the incorporation of these functional groups completely reversed the positive charge of the GOPG-DMMA material.
This alteration in charge drastically affected the binding abilities of the nanomaterial. Professor Nishina explained, “We now have a concrete guideline for improving the performance of pH-responsive nanomedicines.” The team’s conclusions provide meaningful guidance when it comes to altering the surface chemistry of nanomaterials. Using this systematic approach to formulation and delivery can greatly improve their efficacy throughout the body.
Dr. Yajuan Zou, an assistant professor at the University of Washington who worked on the study explained the import of these changes. “We observed that by adjusting the surface chemistry, we could control how nanomaterials behave inside the body,” she stated. This control is instrumental for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapies while reducing potential adverse effects.
Mechanism of Action
The functionality of any developed nanomaterial would depend on their ability to switch their charge in response to changing environmental pH conditions. Under the neutral conditions of the bloodstream, the composite maintains a highly negatively charged surface. This net positive charge gives it a virtually immune-system-dodging cloaking device. When it gets to the slightly acidic milieu that’s typical of tumors, the surface is converted to a net positive charge.
The material has a long-lived negatively charged surface, stable enough to exist in the neutral pH of blood. This positive charge allows it to escape detection by the immune system. Professor Nishina noted. “When it enters the slightly acidic environment of a tumor, its surface becomes positively charged, helping it bind to and enter cancer cells.” This dual-functionality has the potential to enable targeted drug delivery, improving patient treatment outcomes.
Implications for Personalized Medicine
The consequences of this research go beyond improved modes of drug delivery. They represent a move towards the promise of personalized medicine. Okayama University and CNRS collaborated to establish a unique new international research hub. This voluntary initiative had a slow roll‐out period, with initial onboarding of projects occurring in 2025. To this end, this initiative seeks to develop intelligent nanomaterials precisely tailored for therapeutic and diagnostic medical applications.
Professor Nishina remarked, “With this discovery, we are one step closer to the future of personalized medicine.” The ability to tailor treatments based on individual tumor characteristics could lead to more effective therapy options and improved patient outcomes.
