Polymer-drug conjugates: present state of play and future perspectives.
Polymer conjugation is an efficient approach to improve therapeutic properties of drugs and biological agents. Since the first synthetic polymer-drug conjugate entered clinical trials in 1994, this technology has undergone notable development for the introduction and study of novel polymers and for the progress in the biological rationale for designing conjugates. Not surprisingly, new polymers, in addition to the best known polyethylene glycol, poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide], are continuously conjugated with drugs to achieve biodegradable, stimuli-sensitive and targeted systems in an attempt to prolong blood circulation times and enhance drug concentrations at the intended site of action. This overview focuses on bioconjugates of water-soluble polymers with low molecular weight drugs. Additionally, the most recent achievements in the polymer-drug conjugate field and several promising approaches for the future are discussed.
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Xin
X
Pang
Hong-Liang
HL
Du
Hai-Qun
HQ
Zhang
Ying-Jie
YJ
Zhai
Guang-Xi
GX
Zhai
D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility
D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers