The development of dendritic polymer drug delivery systems for use in chemotherapy

• Main Author: Acton, Aaron L.
• Published: University of Reading 2014
• Subjects: 615.48
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.617035

The conjugation of anticancer drugs to polymers to produce drug delivery systems has been demonstrated to improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicities associated with several common drugs used in chemotherapy. This chapter first outlines the limitations associated with several anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy and highlights the ability of drug delivery systems to improve the therapeutic performance of many conventional anticancer drugs. The second section introduces the concept and mechanism of action of polymer-drug conjugates to selectively target cancerous tumours and summarises the current status of polymer-drug conjugates within chemotherapy. This is followed by a discussion of the importance of molecular architecture on the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of polymer-drug conjugates and in particular, the use of branched dendritic polymers as drug delivery systems. Finally, the recent application of polymer-drug conjugates to deliver multiple therapeutic agents simultaneously for use in combination chemotherapy is reviewed.