On-Demand Drug-Delivery Platform Using Electrospun Nanofibers by Externally Triggered Glass Transition Switch

On-demand drug-delivery platforms can provide precise control over the timing and amount of drug delivered using external stimuli. Such platforms enable customizable release patterns and enhance therapeutic efficacy by anticipatorily, repeatedly, and dependably controlling the timing, amount, and location of drug release. Herein, we propose an innovative on-demand drug release platform based on electrospun nanofibers (NFs) with a near-infrared (NIR)-triggered glass transition switch to simplify protocols and improve the currently available thermoresponsive nanocarrier formulations. The gold nanorods (GNRs) present in NFs generate heat when exposed to NIR radiation due to the plasmon resonance effect as the GNRs are absorbed in the range of the NIR spectrum. In this investigation, poly-l-lactic acid, a polymer with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 53–58 °C, was used to create electrospun NFs containing GNRs and camptothecin. Upon NIR irradiation, the increase in temperature above the Tg by the GNRs caused physical changes in the NFs, which ensured that the drug was released in a controlled manner. This study demonstrates a promising platform for safely delivering drugs and controlling drug release to treat cancer as well as other challenging diseases.