Polymer Therapeutics

Abstract

Polymer therapeutics including polymer-drug conjugates, polymer-protein conjugates and polymer-modified gene delivery vectors are addressed in this review. Brief history of the polymer therapeutics is described with a focus on the pioneering work accomplished at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Prague. The advantages of polymer therapeutics compared with low-molecular-weight drugs are outlined. Polymer cancerostatics, polymer-protein conjugates with anti-cancer activity and polymer-modified viruses based on N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymers and biodegradable multiblock poly(ethylene glycol) polymers are chosen as examples. The current status of clinical evaluation of the polymer therapeutics is also mentioned.