Structural Analysis of DDS Nanocarriers by Neutron and X-ray Small-angle Scattering Measurements

Abstract

The development of drug delivery systems (DDS) that enable encapsulation of drugs, selective delivery to target tissues or organs, and release of drugs has improved therapeutic effect and reduced side effects. DDS carriers are mainly based on the self-assembled nanoparticles, and their size and shape have significant influences on the therapeutic effect and side effects. However, their small sizes preclude from obtaining structural data with high accuracy by using conventional structural analysis techniques. We thus have analyzed the structures of supramolecular assemblies under the same conditions in actual use by neutron and synchrotron radiation small-angle X-ray scattering. Here, we review our recent studies on the structural analysis of supramolecular assemblies, including nanogels and polymer vesicles using contrast-variation neutron scattering and X-ray small-angle scattering measurements.