Biopolymeric Prodrug Systems as Potential Antineoplastic Therapy
Adriana Aurelia Chis,
Anca Maria Arseniu,
Claudiu Morgovan,
Carmen Maximiliana Dobrea,
Adina Frum,
Anca Maria Juncan,
Anca Butuca,
Steliana Ghibu,
Felicia Gabriela Gligor,
Luca Liviu Rus
Affiliations
Adriana Aurelia Chis
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Anca Maria Arseniu
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Claudiu Morgovan
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Carmen Maximiliana Dobrea
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Adina Frum
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Anca Maria Juncan
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Anca Butuca
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Steliana Ghibu
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Felicia Gabriela Gligor
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Luca Liviu Rus
Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
Nowadays, cancer represents a major public health issue, a substantial economic issue, and a burden for society. Limited by numerous disadvantages, conventional chemotherapy is being replaced by new strategies targeting tumor cells. In this context, therapies based on biopolymer prodrug systems represent a promising alternative for improving the pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic properties of drugs and reducing their toxicity. The polymer-directed enzyme prodrug therapy is based on tumor cell targeting and release of the drug using polymer–drug and polymer–enzyme conjugates. In addition, current trends are oriented towards natural sources. They are biocompatible, biodegradable, and represent a valuable and renewable source. Therefore, numerous antitumor molecules have been conjugated with natural polymers. The present manuscript highlights the latest research focused on polymer–drug conjugates containing natural polymers such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, dextran, pullulan, silk fibroin, heparin, and polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula.
