Application of Polymeric Nanomaterials as Therapeutic Agents

Scheme 1.Schematic representation of a multifunctional polymeric nanoparticle (PNP) at the center, surrounded by its diverse biomedical applications, including gastric cancer therapy, chemotherapy, antibacterial treatment, brain cancer targeting, gene therapy, and oncological applications. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the urgent need for innovative healthcare solutions to combat persistent challenges such as infectious diseases, cancer, and chronic conditions. Polymeric nanomaterials (PNPs) have emerged as versatile therapeutic agents because of their unique physicochemical properties, including their nanoscale size, high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and excellent biocompatibility. These attributes enable PNPs to serve as efficient carriers for a wide range of therapeutic cargos, including antimicrobial agents, chemotherapeutics, genes, and proteins. In bacterial infections, the rise of multidrug-resistant strains has necessitated the development of advanced drug delivery systems capable of overcoming conventional antibiotic limitations. PNPs can encapsulate and protect antibiotics from degradation, facilitate targeted delivery to infection sites, and promote sustained release, thereby enhancing antimicrobial efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity. Surface functionalization with ligands or peptides can improve bacterial targeting and biofilm penetration, which are critical for treating persistent infections. In addition to antibacterial therapy, PNPs have been extensively investigated in oncology, where they improve drug solubility, target tumors via passive and active mechanisms, and enable stimuli-responsive release to maximize therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, these nanomaterials find applications in gene therapy, vaccine delivery, and regenerative medicine, demonstrating their multifunctionality in modern therapeutics. This chapter comprehensively reviews the basics of PNPs as well as their application in therapeutic agents, focusing on their roles in antibacterial therapy, cancer treatment, and other biomedical uses.