Cell Membrane Mimetic Amphiphilic Phospholipid Polymers for Advanced Nanomedicine

Polymeric biomaterials are indispensable as drug additives in the field of nanomedicine, in which drug therapy is effected at the molecular level. Here, we introduce phospholipid polymers, whose molecular design is based on the surface structure of cell membranes, and their role in drug formulation. These phospholipid polymers are amphiphilic, can substantially enhance the solubility of drugs in aqueous media, and can permeate membranes through molecular diffusion. Therefore, solubilized formulations of previously insoluble anticancer drugs have been developed. In addition, because polymers can be functionalized by introducing various functional groups, they can express anticancer activity through a new mechanism to induce cell death, by modifying the electron transfer pathway during cell metabolism. These findings provide pioneering nanomedicines based on the idea of controlling intracellular reactions.