Polymer-drug conjugates: present state of play and future perspectives

Polymer conjugation is an efficient approach to improve therapeutic properties of drugs and biological agents. Since the first synthetic polymer-drug conjugate entered clinical trials in 1994, this technology has undergone notable development for the introduction and study of novel polymers and for the progress in the biological rationale for designing conjugates. Not surprisingly, new polymers, in addition to the best known polyethylene glycol, poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide], are continuously conjugated with drugs to achieve biodegradable, stimuli-sensitive and targeted systems in an attempt to prolong blood circulation times and enhance drug concentrations at the intended site of action. This overview focuses on bioconjugates of water-soluble polymers with low molecular weight drugs. Additionally, the most recent achievements in the polymer-drug conjugate field and several promising approaches for the future are discussed.