Chapter 9 - Polymer conjugates: implications and roles in biomedical applications

Abstract

Polymer therapeutics has greatly advanced in recent years and thereby resulted in smart delivery systems via polymer conjugation approaches. Polymer conjugates (PCs) are nanosized, multicomponent fabricates formerly used in biomedical applications, either as solitary agents or as a combination of elements. The exploitation of polymer for biomedical applications has led to remarkable advancements in the drug characteristics. The polymeric conjugates have unique design and chemical properties that aim to increase the drug molecules at the infectious sites meanwhile minimizing systemic drug exposure. Polymer conjugates are categorized as polymer-drug conjugates (PDCs) and polymer–protein conjugates (PPCs). PDCs come under the group of nanodrug delivery systems in which hydrophilic polymers are linked covalently to biologically active drug molecules through conjugation. These show high stability, reduced toxicity, improved loading and release characteristics, compared to other nanosystems wherein the drug molecules are encapsulated. PPCs normally comprise of a protein attached covalently to a single or multiple polymer, intended to be used in biotechnology. They improve upon several parameters such as circulation time, immune response and self-alignment of proteins, This basic concept of PDCs and PPCs has immense clinical applicability. This chapter details polymer conjugates, various classes of polymer conjugates, their synthesis, potential application as drug delivery systems, and biomedical applications in cancer therapy, tissue engineering, medical devices, biosensors, diseases, and theranostics.