Implementation of Water-Soluble Cyclodextrin-Based Polymers in Biomedical Applications: How Far Are We?

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cyclodextrin-based polymers are synthesized using green, cost-effective methods from natural monomers.
• Selective derivatization allows for fine-tuning polymer functionalities for specific applications.
• Industrial interest has driven preparation to the 100g scale, indicating significant versatility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of water-soluble cyclodextrin-based polymers.
• To explore their potential as therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems.
• To highlight their role in enabling combination therapy and advancing disease treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on cyclodextrin-based polymers.
• Analysis of their properties, including water solubility and drug solubilization.
• Evaluation of their application in biomedical fields, particularly for drug delivery.

Main Results:

• Cyclodextrin-based polymers exhibit superior water solubility and drug solubilizing power compared to monomeric models.
• These polymers can effectively carry and combine multiple therapeutic agents for combination therapy.
• Extensive research over 15 years has generated substantial data on their biomedical potential.

Conclusions:

• Water-soluble cyclodextrin-based polymers are highly versatile for biomedical applications.
• They offer significant advantages for drug formulation, delivery, and combination therapy.
• Further research is needed to address limitations and fully realize their innovation potential in disease treatment.