Enhancing the site-specific targeting of macromolecular anticancer drug delivery systems

The application of macromolecules as vehicles for anticancer drug delivery is a burgeoning field of interest. One of the hallmarks of using such systems, however, is that they must be capable of site-specific drug delivery. As such, augmenting the targeting of drug delivery systems to specified sites is paramount. To date, a number of synthetic strategies have been utilized to introduce targeting moieties to macromolecular drug delivery systems to enhance specific targeting. This scheme frequently involves the introduction of some type of biologically recognizable marker to the delivery system. Biological evaluations have substantiated the rationale that introducing targeting groups can significantly increase specificity. This concise review will attempt to encompass what strategies have been done to increase the specificity of macromolecular anticancer drug delivery systems along with their biological activities.