Polymeric nanogels as drug delivery systems

The present review focuses on the description of the design, synthesis and physico-chemical and biological evaluation of polymer nanogels. Nanogels are robust swollen cross-linked polymer nanoparticles that can be used as highly efficient and biodegradable carriers for the transport of drugs in controlled drug delivery. In this article, various types of nanogels are described and methods for their preparation discussed. The possibility of using synthesized nanosystems for targeting are reviewed to show the potential of tailored structures to reach either solid tumor tissue or direct tumor cells. Finally, the methods for encapsulation or attachment of biologically active molecules, e.g. drugs, proteins, are described and compared.