Biodegradable Polymers for Focal Delivery Systems

Biodegradable polymers for focal drug delivery application play both structural and functional roles. Delivery via these biodegradable polymeric carriers is one of the simplest and most successful approaches due to its physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of these polymers. Thus, these polymers have been increasingly used as implants, invasive delivery systems, and to deliver drugs to a specific site or body compartment. Biodegradable materials used in clinically tested for focal drug therapy are both from natural origin (gelatin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc.) and synthetic origin (prepared from lactic acid, glycolic acid, caprolactone, etc.). This chapter provides a review of both introductory and state-of-the-art information about the polymeric carriers used in focal drug therapy for diseased states that are most exploited for localized treatment.