Polymersomes for Targeted Drug and Gene Delivery Systems

Abstract

Polymersomes or stimuli-sensitive polymeric vesicles are spherical vesicles, with shells formed by copolymers in amphiphilic blocks in a polymeric bilayer and hydrophilic core, capable of carrying polar substances, enabling the encapsulation of hydrophobic or hydrophilic molecules, as well as carrying by active or passive transports. These vesicles have high stability and controllable properties, because of their chemical structure of the chain, as well as the self-assembly process. They are responsive to external stimuli such as light, temperature, pH, redox potential, and magnetic effect; thus, their potential application in drug and gene delivery systems by targeting drugs and genes to specific action sites and/or through controlled release has been explored. The use of polymersomes optimizes gene therapy because it protects the DNA from enzymatic degradation and helps in the treatment of defective gene expression, being a great alternative to viral carriers that can result in unwanted effects such as high immunogenicity and mutagenicity. Therefore, polymersomes are presented as important objects of study in the field of nanobiotechnology and pharmaceutical modulation. In this context, this chapter will address the development, characterization, and application of polymersomes, aiming to obtain new drug and pharmaceutical delivery systems, with different therapeutic targets.