Intelligent design of polymersomes for antibacterial and anticancer applications

Abstract

Polymersomes (or polymer vesicles) have attracted much attention for biomedical applications in recent years because their lumen can be used for drug delivery and their coronas and membrane can be modified with a variety of functional groups. Thus, polymersomes are very suitable for improved antibacterial and anticancer therapy. This review mainly highlighted recent advances in the synthetic protocols and design principles of intelligent antibacterial and anticancer polymersomes. Antibacterial polymersomes are divided into three categories: polymersomes as antibiotic nanocarriers, intrinsically antibacterial polymersomes, and antibacterial polymersomes with supplementary means including photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Similarly, the anticancer polymersomes are divided into two categories: polymersomes-based delivery systems and anticancer polymersomes with supplementary means. In addition, the bilateral relationship between bacteria and cancer is addressed, since more and more evidences show that bacteria may cause cancer or promote cancer progression. Finally, prospective on next-generation antibacterial and anticancer polymersomes are discussed.

Dendrimersomes: Biomedical applications

“…59,60 Research on the therapeutic applications of polymersomes is ongoing, focusing on the following areas: drug delivery, 61,62 cell mimicking, 63 nucleic acid transport, 64 and antibacterial properties. 65 The translation of polymersomes into clinical settings has not yet been achieved. One of the reasons for this situation is certainly the much later start of research on them compared to liposomes.…”

Nanotheranostics to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Strategies and applications

“…Furthermore, compared to free antibiotics or polymersome alone, polymersome-encapsulated metronidazole or doxycycline dramatically reduces the intracellular gram-negative anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is associated with periodontal disease [175]. Being an excellent antibiotic carrier, advancements in polymersome designing and drug delivery optimization are the current focus to reach maximum antibacterial potential [176].…”

Polymersome Membrane Engineering with Active Targeting or Controlled Permeability for Responsive Drug Delivery

“…It may impart detrimental effects on vital organs, leading to halting of therapy. To minimize such effects and enhance drug bioavailability, polymersome nanocarriers have been equipped with the targeting agents . A series of unique markers are overexpressed in cancer cells.…”