Stimuli‐Responsive Prodrug Chemistries for Drug Delivery

• DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201800030
• Publication Date: 2018-06-22T06:24:35Z
• Authors: Vincenzo Taresco; Cameron Alexander; Nishant Singh; Amanda K. Pearce
• Keywords: Therapeutic window; Targeted drug delivery

Abstract Research into advanced therapeutic materials is of growing importance worldwide, particularly in the disease areas infection, neurodegeneration, and oncology. Advances have been made treating these diverse pathologies but there still remain many challenging areas. Amongst most difficult are those involving highly potent and/or cytotoxic agents which present inherent problem adverse off‐target effects. Of key to widen window for such by reducing access non‐diseased cells enhancing release at targeted sites. Spatiotemporal controlled can be achieved exploiting physical, chemical, or biological stimuli specific diseased area. A crucial strategy involves drug‐carrier linkages able respond physiological biochemical region, now significant literature on (polymeric) prodrugs based drug + carrier cleavable linker philosophy, predominantly cancer applications. The authors therefore focuse this mini‐review primarily single/multistimuli‐responsive therapies, covering prominent examples prodrug chemistries used endow polymers with site‐specific delivery properties. Additionally, possibilities similar approaches disease‐associated bacterial viral infections, inflammatory immune diseases, degenerative disorders emphasized.