Smart polymers in drug delivery: a biological perspective

Abstract

Key to the widespread application of smart polymers in drug delivery is understanding the mechanistic interplay, as well as consequence, of the presence of these macromolecules within living systems. This review looks at these interactions in terms of host response to macromolecular structure and subsequent clinical implications. In order to highlight this, three distinct routes of drug delivery are discussed, enabling a journey from the outside of the body in to the cell. This is used to contrast the need for different scientific approaches replete to successful drug delivery in these physiologically diverse areas. The discussion initiates with the application of smart polymers to the oral route of drug delivery, followed by macromolecular fate within the systemic circulation and finally intracellular delivery. The advantages, in terms of biological performance, as well as the challenges of using smart polymers within this multifaceted arena are delineated.

High-Repetition-Rate Femtosecond Laser Processing of Acrylic Intra-Ocular Lenses

“…Polymeric materials have become well-known in recent decades and have experienced an outstanding development achieving unique properties that have allowed them to enter rapidly in almost all industrial, technological and biotechnological applications in semiconductor manufacturing and coatings, household appliances, automotive, electronics, aerospace, as well as in biomedicine, bioengineering, pharmaceutical and ophthalmology. It is worth noting their application like lab-on-chip devices, storage devices, optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices, micro-fluidic channels, orthopedic, dental, hard and soft tissue replacements, cardiovascular devices, drug delivery, and as contact and intraocular lenses [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. In fact, polymers represent the largest class of materials used for biomedical applications.…”

An l-proline based thermoresponsive and pH-switchable nanogel as a drug delivery vehicle

“…To the reaction solution was added dropwise acryloyl chloride (5.43 g, 60 mmol) over 30 min and the reaction was stirred for 1 h at 0°C, followed by 2 h at room temperature. The solution was then washed with 100 mL of 0.6 M HCl and 100 mL of saturated NaHCO 3 …”

“…[1][2][3] Conventional approaches have shown the limitations of untriggered release, where Fickian diffusion drives non-specific cargo delivery. 4 A variety of intelligent materials have been engineered to respond to stimuli such as pH, 5 temperature, 6 light 7 and magnetic field, 8 with temperature being the most studied.…”

Quo Vadis, Macromolecular Science? Reflections by the IUPAC Polymer Division on the Occasion of the Staudinger Centenary

“…Any use of materials is fair game for polymers. Stimuli-responsive, self-assembled or selfhealing polymers are examples of "smart" materials, [53][54][55] going beyond the possibilities of traditional ones in approaching those of living matter. These "smart" materials could be enabled by dynamic covalent networks to provide adaptive/ sensing materials, [56][57][58][59][60] or vitrimers, [61,62] an interesting new class of plastically deformable covalent organic networks, which were inspired by work performed by Stadler on thermoplastic elastomers.…”