Work

Metal-containing and related polymers for biomedical applications

Year: 2016

Type: review

Abstract: A survey of the most recent progress in the biomedical applications of metal-containing polymers is given. Due to the unique optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties, at least 30 different metal elements, most of them transition metals, are introduced into polymeric frameworks for interactions with biology-relevant substrates via various means. Inspired by the advance of metal-containing small molecular drugs and promoted by the great progress in polymer chemistry, metal-containing polymers have gained momentum during recent decades. According to their different applications, this review summarizes the following biomedical applications: (1) metal-containing polymers as drug delivery vehicles; (2) metal-containing polymeric drugs and biocides, including antimicrobial and antiviral agents, anticancer drugs, photodynamic therapy agents, radiotherapy agents and biocides; (3) metal-containing polymers as biosensors, and (4) metal-containing polymers in bioimaging.

Source: Chemical Society Reviews

DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00026f

Authors: Yi Yan, Jiuyang Zhang, Lixia Ren, Chuanbing Tang

Institutions: University of South Carolina, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Columbia University, Southeast University, Tianjin University

Language: English

Topic: Metal complexes synthesis and properties

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Chemistry