Advances in PCL, PLA, and PLGA-Based Technologies for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Biodegradable polymers such as Polycaprolactone (PCL), Polylactic acid (PLA), and Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) offer excellent biocompatibility and tunable degradation for drug delivery.
• Current chemotherapeutics face challenges including low bioavailability, systemic toxicity, and off-target effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the properties, synthesis, and drug delivery applications of PCL, PLA, and PLGA in anticancer therapy.
• To explore how surface functionalization and stimuli-responsive designs enhance controlled drug release.
• To highlight the potential of these polymers in advanced formulations for precision medicine.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of chemical and physicochemical properties of PCL, PLA, and PLGA.
• Overview of synthetic strategies for these biodegradable polymers.
• Analysis of controlled drug release technologies, including surface functionalization and stimuli-responsive systems.

Main Results:

• These polymers enable overcoming limitations of conventional chemotherapy, improving bioavailability and reducing toxicity.
• Various formulations like nanoparticles and hydrogels enhance drug solubility, enable sustained release, and facilitate tumor targeting.
• Preclinical and clinical studies show promise for polymer-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) in cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable polymers (PCL, PLA, PLGA) are effective platforms for developing next-generation anticancer therapies.
• Surface functionalization and stimuli-responsive designs are key to controlled drug release and targeted delivery.
• Polymer-based DDSs show significant potential for clinical translation and widespread adoption in precision oncology.