Intact or in Pieces? A Look at How Clinically Approved, Biodegradable Block Co-Polymers Affect Blood Components

Polyethylene glycol-b-polylactic acid (PEG-PLA) and polyethylene glycol-b-poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid) (PEG-PLGA) are two copolymers made up of three currently FDA approved polymers, used as drug delivery systems for specific indications. Here, the two were investigated to determine how they affected individual blood components and how they affected whole blood. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy imaging for each blood component and whole blood was completed with each amphiphilic copolymer for comparison. It was found that PEG-PLA does not disturb whole blood or its components, but PEG-PLGA harms platelets and plasma. These findings regarding PEG-PLGA show that this material is not compliant with all current FDA standards and could explain why clinical trials are facing complications.