Porous silicon in drug delivery applications

Abstract

Several beneficial features needed in an efficient drug delivery device can be combined relatively easily in nanostructured porous silicon drug carrier. The latest results obtained to verify the feasibility of mesoporous silicon as a versatile drug carrier are highlighted in the present chapter. The encouraging results presented concern high amounts of loaded cargos, stabilization of the cargo, improved dissolution, triggered release of the cargos, improved permeation, biocompatibility (non-toxicity), biodegradation and targeting of the nanoparticles.