Abstract
In various fields of sciences, research on block copolymers has made significant contributions that have advanced our understanding regarding its preparation, characterization with further exploitation. As one of the unique classes of copolymer known as block copolymers, comprise of chemically different monomer units arranged in discrete blocks to form polymer chain structure. Linear, branched like start, graft, and cyclic are few, out of its several molecular designs. In addition to its academic interest, block copolymers have seen a significant application and expansion in the areas like innovative and porous materials, patterning and drug delivery. In the last few years, due to advancement in nano drug delivery systems, block copolymers have been considerably and vastly used in drug delivery applications. Out of many nanoforms, block copolymers micelles and vesicles have attracted the attention of many researchers. This is due to the advantages of micelles in the entrapment of hydrophobic drug which helps in their delivery in higher concentrations than its intrinsic water solubility. Similarly, double hydrophilic and amphiphilic block copolymers are also considered to be potential nanocarriers for various drugs, biomolecules, genes and imaging/contrast agents. The amphiphilicity of block copolymers in solution facilitates solubility, encapsulation, transportation, bioavailability with lengthened blood circulation time of drugs. Various targeted drug delivery applications of block copolymers were already established in cancer, Alzheimer’s and some other diseases. This compilation of review is an attempt to demonstrate the role of block copolymers in targeted drug delivery.
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Mutha, R.E. et al. (2023). Role of Block Copolymers in Targeted Drug Delivery. In: Mishra, N., Pandey, V. (eds) Block Co-polymeric Nanocarriers: Design, Concept, and Therapeutic Applications. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6917-3_13
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