Poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide)-based nanotherapeutics

Abstract

This mini-review provides a brief overview of recent advances in the area of biologically-relevant nanomaterials composed of poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) (PHPMA). Polymer diversity within the field of nanomedicine has grown considerably in recent years, yet the overwhelming majority of soft nanomaterials intended for medical applications are composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and its derivatives. However, it is well known that PHPMA offers several advantages over PEG in some applications, including its ability to be functionalized via its side-chain hydroxyl group to incorporate drugs, imaging agents, targeting ligands, etc. This mini-review focuses on select recent advances in PHPMA-based nanostructures. Particular attention is placed on polymer–drug conjugates, self-assembled nanoparticles, and other recent examples of PHPMA-based nanotherapeutics.