Polyanhydrides controlled drug release system

Uhrich, K. E., Cannizzaro, S. M., Danger, R. S. and Shakesheff, K. M., Polymeric systems for controlled drug release. Chemical Reviews 99, 3181-3198 (1999). Kumar, N., Danger, R. and Domb, A. J., Polyanhydrides An overview. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 54, 889-910 (2002). 

Polyanhydrides are a class of bioerodible polymers that have shown excellent characteristics as drug delivery carriers. The properties of these biomaterials can be tailored to obtain desirable controlled release characteristics. Extensive research in this promising area of biomaterials is the focus of this entry. In the first part of the entry, the chemical structures and synthesis methods of various polyanhydrides are discussed. This is followed by a discussion of the physical, chemical, and thermal properties of polyanhydrides and their effect on the degradation mechanism of these materials. Finally, a description of drug release applications from polyanhydride systems is presented, highlighting their potential in biomedical applications. 

So far, polyanhydrides have only been approved by the FDA as a drug dehvery system commercially produced by Guilford. Chemotherapeutic agent BCNU (carmustine) loaded in poly(CPP-SA) 20 80 wafer (Gliadel ) was used for treating brain tumors [161,194,195], More applications in controlled release include eye disorder, local anesthetics, and anticoagulants [194], Further biocompatibility analyses need to be conducted for the use of polyanhydrides in other tissue engineering applications. 

---