Chemotherapy agents, attack not only to cancer cells but also all fast reproducing cells, most being the crucial cells for continuation of life. In an effort to save the rest of the body from the undesirable effects of the cytotoxic agents, they are packaged in a delivery system, grandiosely termed as nanomedicine. The carrier should carry its cargo till the tumor and release only after it is next to or inside the target cell. This fundamental requirement is simple yet not easy to achieve. Since the result of premature release of the payload is almost as good as administering the free drug, there is enormous effort in trying to optimize the voyage and release at destination. This, of course, requires various adjustments according to the drug and the site of delivery. The presentation will highlight different linkers on a polymeric carrier system for delivery to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Only a limited number of patients can be treated surgically, which is the only curative treatment option for PDAC. A distinct feature of PDAC is its abundant fibrotic stroma, a nightmare for any delivery platform trying to reach the tumor. The polymeric carriers are ornamented with drug molecules with different linkers, aiming to sail through the stroma and deliver the precious cargo inside in order to effect both the tumor and the pancreatic stellate cells.

Drug delivery via polymer-drug conjugates for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

2019 Fall National Meeting

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