Overview of stimuli-responsive mesoporous organosilica nanocarriers for drug delivery

The application of nanomaterials is regarded nowadays as a highly promising approach for overcoming the limitations of the currently available cancer treatments, contributing for the creation of more effective, precise, and safer therapies. In the last years, organosilica nanoparticles arisen as alternatives to the most common mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The organosilica nanoparticles combine the advantages of the mesoporous silica, such as structural stability and mesoporous structure, with the increased biocompatibility and biodegradability of organic materials. Therefore, the variety of organic bridges that can be incorporated into the silica matrix allowed the development of new and exciting compositions, properties, and functions for improving the therapeutic effectiveness of the anticancer nanomedicines. In this review, the strategies that have been explored to create stimuli-responsive organosilica-based drug delivery systems are highlighted, describing the practical approaches and mechanisms controlling the drug release. Additionally, the organosilica nanoparticles surface modifications aimed for increasing the blood circulation time and the tumor targeting are also described.