Recent developments in functionalized polymer nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery system

Abstract To overcome the shortcomings of conventional dosage forms, targeted and modified drug delivery system came into existence. This was the time when a novel drug delivery system was in high demand. Nanoparticles are such type of targeted drug delivery system. Nanoparticles are colloidal particles which provide site-specific delivery of drugs. There are different kinds of nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles are one of a kind. Polymeric nanoparticles, nowadays, is one of the most researched topics. Their major advantages include good control over size, longer clearance time, improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity. Polymer-based nanoparticles come in various forms like dendrimers, ligand-based nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, PEGylated nanoparticles, etc. This chapter includes the various advancements in polymeric nanoparticles as well as advancements in the polymers that are used in their preparation. It reveals details about functionalized nanoparticles and its types. It finally discusses the use of various polymers in the drug delivery system in order to target varied diseases, taking cancer and vaginal diseases as an example. The chapter at the end also reveals the future aspect of functionalized polymeric nanoparticles.