Phosphorus-containing biomimetic polymers for designing drug carriers

Abstract

Phosphorus is one of the six most important elements for all life. The aim of this review is to describe the utilized ability of two phosphorus-containing polymers inspired by the structures of phospholipids and nucleic acids, to design drug carriers. It is well known that phospholipid-inspired MPC polymers inhibit nonspecific protein adsorption. This phenomenon is effective in creating stealth-rich drug carriers. MPC polymers also act as suitable solubilizer for lipophilic drugs. On the other hand, polyphosphate esters（PPEs）, which are inspired from nucleic acids, are attracting attention as new degradable polymeric biomaterials. Bone-targeted and transdermal drug delivery by using PPEs are also presented.