Recent advances of Pluronic-based copolymers functionalization in biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Polymeric biocompatible nanomaterials are crucial for biological and medical applications.
• Pluronics (triblock copolymers (EO)x(PO)y(EO)x) possess favorable characteristics like biocompatibility, thermosensitivity, and structural versatility for nanostructures.
• Pluronics require chemical functionalization to enhance properties for specific biomedical needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent methodologies for synthetic modifications of Pluronics.
• To highlight applications of Pluronic-based nanoconstructs in the biomedical field over the last 15 years.
• To discuss scientific contributions in designing and optimizing covalently functionalized Pluronics for biomedical strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of publications on synthetic modifications of Pluronics.
• Analysis of Pluronic functionalization strategies to improve physical-chemical properties.
• Categorization of applications based on enhanced Pluronic nanoconstructs.

Main Results:

• Pluronic modifications improve micellization, drug entrapment, stimuli responsiveness, targeting, thermosensitivity, and hydrogel formation.
• Functionalized Pluronics are applied in treating cancers, infectious diseases, wound healing, cellular regeneration, and tissue engineering.
• Applications extend to medical diagnosis, imaging, and lab-on-a-chip devices.

Conclusions:

• Covalently functionalized Pluronics represent a significant advancement in designing tailored nanostrategies for diverse biomedical applications.
• Ongoing research focuses on optimizing these nanoconstructs for improved efficacy and expanded therapeutic and diagnostic uses.
• Pluronic-based nanomaterials hold substantial promise for future innovations in medicine.