Exploiting Specific Interactions toward Next-Generation Polymeric Drug Transporters

Abstract

A generic method describes advanced tailoring of polymer drug carriers based on polymer-block-peptides. Combinatorial means are used to select suitable peptide segments to specifically complex small-molecule drugs. The resulting specific drug formulation agents render insoluble drugs water-soluble and enable precise adjustment of drug-release profiles beyond established block-copolymer carriers. While proof of principle is shown on chlorin as a partially approved drug for photodynamic cancer therapy, the concept is universal and applies to a broad spectrum of difficult drugs.