Research Progress of Novel Multi-functional Biodegradable PEG-PLA/PLGA/PCL Polymeric Nano-anticancer Drug Carriers

The application of PEG-PLA/PLGA/PCL polymer as novel drug delivery system for cancer treatment has been extensively investigated due to its biodegradability, high encapsulation efficiency, targeted transportation and controllable release profile of drug, tunability of structure and properties. However, there are still many challenges in the development of PEG-PLA/PLGA/PCL polymeric anticancer drug carriers:structural instability of polymeric drug carriers; poor effect of targeted transportation; insufficient drug release in tumor tissue, etc. Therefore, the design of novel PEG-polyester polymeric drug carriers has been a hot area of research. This paper review the study of new designs of multi-functional biodegradable PEG-PLA/PLGA/PCL polymeric nano-anticancer drug carriers in recent years, and a series of different nano-carrier systems were discussed, analysed and summed in three design concepts:improving structural stability, enhancing targeting ability and stimulating drug release.