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Published on: December 27, 2013
Polymeric Nanomedicines Based on Poly(lactide) and Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
Rong Tong1, Nathan P Gabrielson, Timothy M Fan
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA.
Biodegradable polymers like poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) are used to improve chemotherapy drug delivery. These materials form polymer-drug conjugates and nanoconjugates, overcoming limitations of small molecule drugs.
Area of Science:
- Polymer chemistry
- Nanomedicine
- Drug delivery systems
Background:
- Small molecule chemotherapeutics present challenges including poor solubility, severe side effects, and a narrow therapeutic index.
- Polymeric nanomedicine offers a solution to overcome these limitations in drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development and application of poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) for enhanced chemotherapy delivery.
- To highlight the use of PLA and PLGA in forming polymer-drug conjugates and nanoconjugates.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PLA and PLGA in drug delivery.
- Analysis of polymer-drug conjugate and nanoconjugate formulations.
- Evaluation of the properties and applications of these polymeric systems.
Main Results:
- PLA and PLGA are biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters suitable for nanomedicine.
- These polymers enable the creation of effective polymer-drug conjugates and nanoconjugates.
- Polymeric systems improve the physicochemical and pharmacological profiles of chemotherapeutic agents.
Conclusions:
- Poly(lactide) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) are valuable materials for developing advanced chemotherapy delivery systems.
- The use of PLA and PLGA in conjugates and nanoconjugates represents a significant advancement in nanomedicine.
- These polymeric approaches effectively address the limitations associated with traditional small molecule chemotherapeutics.
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