title: Poly(ethylene glycol) conjugated drugs and prodrugs: a comprehensive review.
abstract: Low molecular weight Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (< 20,000)-drug conjugates, prepared over a 20-year period, have been scrutinized and their properties and efficacy reviewed. No commercial products have thus far been reported for these types of compounds. However, during the past 5 years a renaissance in the field of PEG-(anticancer) drug conjugates has taken place, initiated by the use of higher molecular weight PEGs (> 20,000), especially 40,000, which is estimated to have a plasma circulating half-life of approximately 8-9 h. This recent resuscitation of small organic molecule delivery by high molecular weight PEG conjugates was founded on meaningful in vivo testing using established tumor models and has led to a clinical candidate. Recent applications of high molecular weight PEG prodrug strategies to amino-containing drugs are also detailed.
authors.affiliation: Enzon, Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Greenwald
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Conover
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choe
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides; D000588:Amines; D002219:Carbamates; D002254:Carbonates; D004952:Esters; D004987:Ethers; D006835:Hydrazones; D007659:Ketones; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011355:Prodrugs
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000588:Amines; D002219:Carbamates; D002254:Carbonates; D004952:Esters; D004987:Ethers; D006835:Hydrazones; D007659:Ketones; D011355:Prodrugs; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols