Emerging PEGylated drugs

Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2009 Jun;14(2):363-80. doi: 10.1517/14728210902907847.

Abstract

PEGylation is a pharmaceutical technology that involves the covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to a drug to improve its pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and immunological profiles, and thus, enhance its therapeutic effect. Currently, PEGylation is used to modify proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, antibody fragments, and small organic molecules. Research groups are striving to improve the consistencies of PEGylated drugs and to PEGylate commercialized proteins and small organic molecules. Furthermore, the PEGylations of novel medications, like oligonucleotides and antibody fragments, are being pursued to improve their bioavailabilities. This active research in the PEGylation field and the continued growth of the biopharmaceutical market predicts that PEGylated drugs have a bright future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drugs, Investigational / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacokinetics
  • Small Molecule Libraries / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Drugs, Investigational
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Polyethylene Glycols