N-(2-Hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide or HPMA is the monomer used to make the polymer poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide).

The polymer is water-soluble (highly hydrophilic), non-immunogenic and non-toxic, and resides in the blood circulation well. Thus, it is frequently used as macromolecular carriers for low molecular weight drugs (especially anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents) to enhance therapeutic efficacy and limit side effects. Poly(HPMA)-drug conjugate preferably accumulates in tumor tissues via the passive-targeting process (or so-called EPR effect). Due to its favorable characteristics, HPMA polymers and copolymers are also commonly used to produce synthetic biocompatible medical materials such as hydrogels.