Degradable polymer microspheres for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

Controlled drug delivery technology is concerned with the systematic release of a pharmaceutical agent to maintain a therapeutic level of the drug in the body for a sustained period of time. This may be achieved by incorporating the therapeutic agent into a degradable polymer vehicle, releasing the agent continuously as the matrix erodes. This review is concerned with degradable polymers for use in controlled drug delivery with emphasis on the preparation, applications, biocompatibility, and stability of microspheres from hydrolytically degradable polymers.