Table 4.

Some examples of PEG-modified PLGA NPs with preparation methods, targeting ligands, size, zeta potential, and applications.

Polymer	Targeting ligand	Conjugation method	Average size (nm)	Zeta potential (mV)	Applications	Reference
PEGylated PLGA	A10 aptamer	Covalent conjugation	188	N/A	Targeting human xenograft prostate cancer in mice	[93]
PLGA-PEG	—	Covalent conjugation	170	N/A	NPs encapsulating endostar slowed growth of tumor xenografts	[94]
PEGylated PLGA	cLABL	Covalent conjugation	244	−23.3	Targeting the vascular endothelium with upregulated ICAM-1	[95]
50/50 PLGA and Palmitate-Avidin	Biotinylated PEG, and horseradish peroxidase	Streptavidin-biotin noncovalent binding	170	−11.3	Diffusion of PEGylated particles cervical mucus was 3–10x higher than unmodified PLGA	[96]
PLGA-PEG	—	Covalent conjugation	148	1.84	Sustained release of 9-nitrocamptothecin	[97]
PLGA-PEG		Covalent conjugation	65–100	N/A	Sustained release of adriamycin	[98]
PLA-PEG		Covalent conjugation	952	Neutral	Reduced opsonization of NPs	[99]
PLGA and PEG-distearyl Phosphoethanolamine (PEGPE)		Coemulsification	20–40	−19.2	Higher Doxorubicin encapsulation efficiency, slower release rate, and rapid cellular uptake	[100]
PLGA-mPEG		Covalent conjugation	N/A	N/A	Reduction in protein adsorption on the surface films of PLGA-PEG (750 and 2000) compared to adsorption onto PLGA only	[101]
PLGA	PEG/poloxamer 407	Coincorporation or surface adsorption	189–225	(−16.1)–(−20.3)	Increased blood circulation half-life of NPs	[102]
PLGA-PEG di-block (15% PEG with 5 kDa)		Covalent conjugation	114	−2.8	Higher cellular uptake of formulations containing 15% of PEG compared to 5% and 10% PEG-PLGA formulations	[103]