Soluble synthetic polymers as potential drug carriers

Soluble synthetic polymers provide a potential targetable drug delivery system. In this article we discuss the consequences of the attachment of pharmaceuticals to macromolecular carriers with special reference to endocytosis and lysosomotropic drug delivery. The types of polymers which may be used as carriers are reviewed with particular regard to the methodology currently available in polymer chemistry for the synthesis of polymers bearing cell-specific targeting residues and incorporating effective polymer drug linkages. In order to be successful in drug delivery, the polymeric drug carrier must behave in a predictable and favourable manner in the biological environment. Studies concerned with the biological properties of synthetic polymers are also reviewed. The idea of using drug carriers to improve the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological agents is receiving increasing attention, and the relationship between soluble synthetic polymers and other proposed carriers is discussed together with possible clinical applications.