Nanocapsules with specific targeting and release properties using miniemulsion polymerization

Introduction: The field of application for nanosized materials ranges from mere technical purposes to a growing field of applications in biomedicine. Among the different techniques and processes to produce these materials for encapsulation of reporter molecules and drugs, the miniemulsion process has been proven to be highly adaptable to these specific needs. Areas covered: The review covers the recent developments in the field of miniemulsion as a very powerful technique for the formation of complex carriers for the encapsulation of different kinds of reporter molecule and drugs. The use of a wide variety of polymerization techniques in the miniemulsion process and possible utilization of a wide range of monomers as requested by the biomedical applications is demonstrated. Hereby important factors, such as size, shape, degradation, release kinetics and surface functionalization can be tuned as requested. Furthermore, the inclusion of many payloads, for example, magnetic resonance imaging markers and chemotherapeutic drugs, in a highly controlled manner is discussed. Not only hydrophobic but also hydrophilic substances can be elegantly incorporated. Expert opinion: Further investigations should be focused on the body distribution and intracellular degradation of nanoparticles and nanocapsules. For the former, a better understanding of the interaction with proteins from blood plasma and other body fluids is required. While understanding the uptake mechanisms of nanomaterials into cells has been improved during the last decade, there is still no good methodology to determine the intracellular degradation mechanisms.