Star Polymer Nanomedicines─Challenges and Future Perspectives

Star polymers are structures composed of multiple functional linear arms covalently connected through a central core. The unique conformation of star polymers, with their tunable side arms and architectural plasticity, makes them well equipped to deliver pharmaceutical drugs and biologicals (peptides, nucleic acids), and design imaging agents. A great deal has been reported on the design and synthesis of star polymers, with several studies demonstrating the possibility for future translation. In this work, we have for the first time performed a review on research published over the last 5-years, focused on the translation of star polymer nanoparticles toward therapeutic application. We discuss all the important potential translational breakthroughs in the field as well as offering a perspective on how the addition of cutting-edge in vitro and in vivo models could provide us with the tools for the successful future clinical translation of star polymer nanoparticles.