Progress in the drug encapsulation of poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) and folate-decorated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) conjugates for selective cancer treatment.

Poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved polymer used in humans in the forms of resorbable sutures, drug carriers, and bone regeneration materials. Recently, PLGA-based conjugates have been extensively investigated for cancer, which is the second leading cause of death globally. This article presents an account of the literature on PLGA-based conjugates, focusing on their chemistries, biological activity, and functions as targeted drug carriers or sustained drug controllers for common cancers ( e.g. , breast, prostate, and lung cancers). The preparation and drug encapsulation of PLGA nanoparticles and folate-decorated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) (FA-PEG-PLGA) conjugates are discussed, along with several representative examples. Particularly, the reactions used for preparing drug-conjugated PLGA and FA-PEG-PLGA are emphasized, with the associated chemistries involved in the formation of structures and their biocompatibility with internal organs. This review provides a deeper understanding of the constituents and interactions of PLGA-conjugated materials to ensure successful conjugation in PLGA material design and the subsequent biomedical applications.