Polymeric Nanocarrier Systems for Targeted Drug Delivery
Summary
Polymeric nanocarrier systems encompass a diverse class of nanoscale vehicles engineered from synthetic or natural polymers to transport therapeutic agents selectively to diseased sites. Through precise control of size, surface chemistry and architecture, these carriers optimise pharmacokinetics, improve solubility of hydrophobic compounds and reduce off-target toxicity. Passive accumulation via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect can be augmented by active targeting motifs—such as antibodies, peptides or small molecules—covalently attached to the polymeric surface. Stimuli-responsive polymers add another dimension of control by releasing cargo in response to local changes in pH, redox potential or enzymatic activity. Common platforms include polymeric micelles, dendrimers, nanogels and core–shell nanoparticles, each offering tunable drug loading, prolonged circulation and biodegradation profiles. Advances in polymer chemistry have yielded amphiphilic block copolymers, zwitterionic backbones and grafted architectures that balance biocompatibility with functional versatility. These designs have been translated into preclinical models of cancer, inflammatory diseases and central nervous system disorders, demonstrating enhanced efficacy, reduced systemic exposure and potential for combination therapies. Continued integration of sophisticated polymer design with an understanding of biological barriers underpins the global drive towards personalised, precision nanomedicines.
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Polymeric Nanocarrier Systems for Targeted Drug Delivery publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in polymeric nanocarrier systems for targeted drug delivery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Polymeric nanocarrier: A nanoscale delivery vehicle composed of polymer materials designed to transport therapeutic agents in the body.
Polymeric micelle: A self-assembled colloidal structure formed by amphiphilic copolymers, featuring a hydrophobic core for drug encapsulation and a hydrophilic shell for solubility.
Polydispersity index (PDI): A measure of the size distribution within a nanoparticle formulation, indicating the uniformity of particle diameters.
Zwitterionic polymer: A polymer bearing both positive and negative charges on its monomer units, conferring antifouling and reduced nonspecific interactions.
Enhanced permeability and retention effect: A phenomenon in which nanoscale particles preferentially accumulate in tumour tissue due to leaky vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage.
References
- Impact of the polymer backbone chemistry on interactions of amino-acid-derived zwitterionic polymers with cells. Bioactive Materials (2023).
- Effects of Size and Surface Charge of Polymeric Nanoparticles on in Vitro and in Vivo Applications. Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology (2016).
- Polymeric Micelles of Biodegradable Diblock Copolymers: Enhanced Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Drugs. Materials (2018).
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