Drug-polymer conjugates containing acid-cleavable bonds

Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 1999;16(3):245-88. doi: 10.1615/critrevtherdrugcarriersyst.v16.i3.10.

Abstract

Drug-polymer conjugates are potential candidates for the selective delivery of anticancer agents to tumor tissue. Incorporating acid-sensitive bonds between the drug and the polymer is an attractive approach because it ensures effective release of the polymer-bound drug at the tumor site. This release is either extracellular, resulting from the slightly acidic pH in tumor tissue, or intracellular, in acidic endosomes or lysosomes after cellular uptake of the drug-polymer conjugate. This paper reviews acid-sensitive drug-polymer conjugates developed during the past 20 years and outlines aspects for further development in this research field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alkylating Agents / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Polymers / administration & dosage*
  • Prodrugs / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkylating Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Polymers
  • Prodrugs