Nanotechnological applications of polymer-drug conjugate as oncological treatment

Abstract

In recent years, the popular term "polymer-drug conjugate" has been introduced to describe new drug targets to combat diseases such as cancer. Due to its potential benefits in terms of human health, this concept has managed to gain attention in the pharmaceutical industry. These innovative developments involve detailed processes in materials science, as it is required to encapsulate different types of cells, as an active component within a material that releases the drug or conjugate directly on the tumor or in the affected area. Against this backdrop, the main objective of this work is to explore the state of participation of polymeric materials in medical and pharmaceutical sciences, in a context where recent cancer statistics are provided in some countries. From the review of the literature, it is evident the importance of the synthesis of new materials or polymeric conjugates, because these materials at the beginning have been used only as storage and delivery systems of drugs, but today they are used as direct treatment against diseases such as cancer, that is, as bioactive agents. Finally, it is possible to conclude that the conjugated polymer-proteins or polymer-drugs, currently on the market and others in the clinical research phase, these materials present physical properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, that is, compatibility with the living organism.