Polymer-drug conjugates as nanomedicine: a review

Abstract

The majority of anti-cancer drugs show poor water solubility and produce adverse effects in healthy tissue. The combination of polymer technology and targeted drug delivery system may overlay the way for more effective yet safer therapeutic options for cancer therapy. Polymer drug conjugate are the polymer based prodrugs designed to increase the aqueous solubility of anti-cancers drugs, subsequently enhance the bioavailability. This update introduced basic concept of polymer drug conjugates (PDC) (prodrug) and provided an overview on currently used synthetic strategies for PDCs. In addition, brief overview on various polymer-drug conjugates updating their clinical status and highlights with major anticipated clinical application in cancer therapy.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Drug targeting
• linkers
• nanocarriers
• polymer-drug conjugate
• tumor