Polyethyleneimine-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Theranostics

• Published in: Journal of functional biomaterials Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 12
• Main Authors: Zhao, Chong, Zhou, Benqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23.12.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Acids; Amines; Biocompatibility; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical materials; Cancer; cancer imaging; cancer theranostics; Cancer therapies; cancer treatment; Chemical compounds; Cytotoxicity; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drugs; Efficiency; Gene expression; Gene transfer; Genes; Health aspects; Kinases; Medical diagnosis; Molecular weight; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Pharmacology; Polyethylene glycol; Polyethyleneimine; polyethylenimine; Polymerization; Polymers; Precision medicine; Review; Tumors; Vehicles; cancer treatment; cancer theranostics; drug delivery; polyethylenimine; cancer imaging
• ISSN: 2079-4983; 2079-4983
• DOI: 10.3390/jfb14010012

With the development of nanotechnology, various types of polymer-based drug delivery systems have been designed for biomedical applications. Polymer-based drug delivery systems with desirable biocompatibility can be efficiently delivered to tumor sites with passive or targeted effects and combined with other therapeutic and imaging agents for cancer theranostics. As an effective vehicle for drug and gene delivery, polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been extensively studied due to its rich surface amines and excellent water solubility. In this work, we summarize the surface modifications of PEI to enhance biocompatibility and functionalization. Additionally, the synthesis of PEI-based nanoparticles is discussed. We further review the applications of PEI-based drug delivery systems in cancer treatment, cancer imaging, and cancer theranostics. Finally, we thoroughly consider the outlook and challenges relating to PEI-based drug delivery systems.