Polymer nanomedicines

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2020:156:40-64. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.07.020. Epub 2020 Jul 28.

Abstract

Polymer nanomedicines (macromolecular therapeutics, polymer-drug conjugates, drug-free macromolecular therapeutics) are a group of biologically active compounds that are characterized by their large molecular weight. This review focuses on bioconjugates of water-soluble macromolecules with low molecular weight drugs and selected proteins. After analyzing the design principles, different structures of polymer carriers are discussed followed by the examination of the efficacy of the conjugates in animal models and challenges for their translation into the clinic. Two innovative directions in macromolecular therapeutics that depend on receptor crosslinking are highlighted: a) Combination chemotherapy of backbone degradable polymer-drug conjugates with immune checkpoint blockade by multivalent polymer peptide antagonists; and b) Drug-free macromolecular therapeutics, a new paradigm in drug delivery.

Keywords: Cancer; Checkpoint inhibition; Drug-free macromolecular therapeutics; Macromolecular therapeutics; Multivalent polymer peptide antagonists; Nanomedicine; Polymer-drug conjugates; Polymeric nanomedicines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine
  • Polymers / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Polymers