Polyethylene Glycol–Based Polymer-Drug Conjugates: Novel Design and Synthesis Strategies for Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy and Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract

Due to their potential to enhance therapeutic results and enable targeted drug administration, polymer-drug conjugates that use polyethylene glycol (PEG) as both the polymer and the linker for drug conjugation have attracted much research. This study seeks to investigate recent developments in the design and synthesis of PEG-based polymer-drug conjugates, emphasising fresh ideas that fill in existing knowledge gaps and satisfy the increasing need for more potent drug delivery methods. Through an extensive review of the existing literature, this study identifies key challenges and proposes innovative strategies for future investigations. The paper presents a comprehensive framework for designing and synthesising PEG-based polymer-drug conjugates, including rational molecular design, linker selection, conjugation methods, and characterisation techniques. To further emphasise the importance and adaptability of PEG-based polymer-drug conjugates, prospective applications are highlighted, including cancer treatment, infectious disorders, and chronic ailments.