Review on PEGylation (Surface Coating with PolyethyleneGlycol) and Potential Use of PEGylated Silica-basedMaterials for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In clinical treatment of diseases, diagnostics and drug delivery are the main issue to obtain successful therapeutic effect. Various kinds of probes and/or carriers are used as a tools for diagnostics and delivery of the drugs to the target areas. Biocompatibility of the devices/tools is the major concern for using them in biological systems. Surface modification by polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer (PEGylation) of devices/tools is widely used to make them biocompatible. PEGylated silica-based nanocomposites earn much attention in using them as a tools for diagnostics and drug delivery systems because of their enhanced biocompatibility and versatility. This review demonstrates potential using of PEGylated silica-based nanocomposites in diagnostics and drug delivery systems.