Formulation of PLGA nano-carriers: specialized modification for cancer therapeutic applications

The eminence of nano-scale materials prevailed after the invention of high-resolution microscopes. Nowadays, nanoparticles are predominantly found in every application, including biomedical applications. In nanomedicine, the unique properties make nano-scale particles an efficient delivery vehicle to overcome the adverse effects of therapeutic molecules, which are directly administered. The polymeric nanoparticles have gradually gained interest as a nano-carrier over various non-polymeric types of nanoparticles due to their biocompatible nature. PLGA is the most frequently used polymer to synthesize polymeric nano-carriers as it is a clinically approved biodegradable polymer and has a broad scope of modification of its inherent properties. PLGA polymer, before or after nanoparticle formation, can be functionalized using various non-covalent and covalent modification techniques to suit desired applications. Since the beginning of PLGA nanoparticle usage, different synthesis methods have evolved progressively with various advantages and limitations. The present review also discusses the post-surface modification characterization of PLGA nanoparticles and their imaging and drug delivery applications.