Rationally designed block copolymer-based nanoarchitectures: An emerging paradigm for effective drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Polymeric nanostructures face rapid clearance from circulation by phagocytic cells via the reticuloendothelial system (RES) after intravenous administration.
• This limits their efficacy as drug delivery systems, necessitating alternative approaches for sustained and targeted delivery of bioactives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the design, fabrication, and recent advancements in block copolymers for drug delivery applications.
• To highlight the potential of block copolymers as innovative carriers to overcome RES clearance and improve drug attributes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on block copolymer synthesis and characterization.
• Analysis of studies investigating block copolymers for controlled and targeted drug delivery.
• Evaluation of methods to enhance the physicochemical and pharmacological properties of drugs using block copolymer carriers.

Main Results:

• Block copolymers demonstrate significant potential as drug carriers, offering improved stability and reduced RES uptake compared to other polymeric materials.
• Various fabrication techniques enable tailored nanostructures for controlled release kinetics and enhanced bioavailability of encapsulated bioactives.
• These carriers can positively modulate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of drugs.

Conclusions:

• Eco-friendly block copolymers represent a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of traditional polymeric drug delivery systems.
• Further research into block copolymer design and fabrication can lead to next-generation nanomedicines with superior therapeutic efficacy.
• Block copolymers offer a versatile platform for improving drug delivery and patient outcomes.