Abstract
Polymeric drugs have been investigated in experimental as well as clinical settings such as SMANCS and L-asparaaginase since 1970 s. Accumulated data show that there are common characteristics among wide range of polymer therapeutics : i. e. prolonged plasma half-life, highly efficient tumor targeting capability and EPR (enhanced permeability and retention) effect. The factors involved in EPR effect are common denominators in both cancer and inflammation, indicating that EPR effect of polymer drugs can be applicable to infectious and inflammatory diseases in addition to cancer. Remarkable clinical effects of PEG-interferon α conjugates and related issues are also described as promising future prospects of polymeric drugs.
