Polymeric nanoparticles with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell
are formed from: 1) N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAM), at a molar ratio of
about 50% to about 90%, and preferably 60% for specific delivery routes
such as oral or parenteral; either water-soluble vinyl derivatives like
vinylpyrolidone (VP) or vinyl acetate (VA), or water insoluble vinyl
derivatives like methyl methacrylate (MMA) or styrene (ST), at a molar
ratio of about 10% to about 30%; and acrylic acid (AA), at a molar ratio
of about 10% to about 30%. The formed nanoparticles may be optionally
surface functionalized using reactive groups present in AA, including
PEGylation, or conjugation of moieties such as chemotherapeutics,
contrasting agents, antibodies, radionucleides, ligands, and sugars, for
diagnostic, therapeutic, and imaging purposes. The polymeric
nanoparticles are preferably dispersed in aqueous solutions. The
polymeric nanoparticles incorporate one or more types of medicines or
bioactive agents in the hydrophobic core; on occasion, the medicine or
bioactive agent may be conjugated to the nanoparticle surface via
reactive functional groups. The polymeric nanoparticles are capable of
delivering the said medicines or bioactive agents through oral,
parenteral, or topical routes. The polymeric nanoparticles allow poorly
water soluble medicines or bioactive agents, or those with poor oral
bioavailability, to be formulated in an aqueous solution, and enable
their convenient delivery into the systemic circulation.