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Biodegradable polymers as drug delivery carriers
123
CORELOO
BOOK
REVIEW
Mark Chasin and Robert Biodegnzd&le Polymers Ccrriers, Marcel Dekker,
Langer (Editors), as Drug
Delivery
New York, 1990,347
pages. This book is number forty-five in the series Drugs and the Phamxweutical Sciences and is the first of that series to deal speciticilly with biodegradable polymers. The text consists of eight chapters, each of which concentrates on one biodegradable polymer or type of delivery system. The authors of these chapters are easily recognized as some of the premier resexchers in the field of biodegradable drug delivery systems. Each of the tint seven chapters addresses a specific biodegradable polymer: lactide/glycolide polymers, polyanhydrides, poly-c-caprolactone, poly(ortho esters), polyphosphazenes, pseudopoly(amino acids), and natural polymers. The final chapter differs from the rest in that its topic is not a specific Qolvmer. It is entitled “Lioosomes” and deScribes the preparation, characterization, stability, and performance of these phospholipid-conmining delivery systems. All chapters are extremely well referenced and provide clear descriptions of the preparation, characterization, and in viva utility of the polymers discussed. This reviewer particularly enjoyed the thorough description of the lactide/
glycolide Qolymers given by Danny Lewis in the first chapter. Along with 139 references for further reading, this chapter provides valuable infcrmation on the fabrication techniques that have been used wtb rbw polymws as well as an OYerview of the wide variety of drugs and other bioactive agents that have been incorporated into these polymi:rs over the years. Anotheretcellent chapter is that on poly(ortho esters) by Jorge Heller and collaborators. The two most useful sections of this chapter were those on “control of oolvmer hvdrolvsis rate” and “development of spkci& deliiery s&terns”. Overall, this text is invaluable to those just entering the field ofbiodegradable ,,olymers in that it provides a concise description and evahlation of the leading biodegradable polymers of today. Indeed, those who have been in the field for some time may find it infinitely more pleasant to reach for this book for the information that they need rather than searching through innumerable filing cabinets. This reviewer would recommend this book highly, both for its content and readability, to all scientists interested in the field of biodegradable polymers and drug delivery.
CORELOO
BOOK
REVIEW
Mark Chasin and Robert Biodegnzd&le Polymers Ccrriers, Marcel Dekker,
Langer (Editors), as Drug
Delivery
New York, 1990,347
pages. This book is number forty-five in the series Drugs and the Phamxweutical Sciences and is the first of that series to deal speciticilly with biodegradable polymers. The text consists of eight chapters, each of which concentrates on one biodegradable polymer or type of delivery system. The authors of these chapters are easily recognized as some of the premier resexchers in the field of biodegradable drug delivery systems. Each of the tint seven chapters addresses a specific biodegradable polymer: lactide/glycolide polymers, polyanhydrides, poly-c-caprolactone, poly(ortho esters), polyphosphazenes, pseudopoly(amino acids), and natural polymers. The final chapter differs from the rest in that its topic is not a specific Qolvmer. It is entitled “Lioosomes” and deScribes the preparation, characterization, stability, and performance of these phospholipid-conmining delivery systems. All chapters are extremely well referenced and provide clear descriptions of the preparation, characterization, and in viva utility of the polymers discussed. This reviewer particularly enjoyed the thorough description of the lactide/
glycolide Qolymers given by Danny Lewis in the first chapter. Along with 139 references for further reading, this chapter provides valuable infcrmation on the fabrication techniques that have been used wtb rbw polymws as well as an OYerview of the wide variety of drugs and other bioactive agents that have been incorporated into these polymi:rs over the years. Anotheretcellent chapter is that on poly(ortho esters) by Jorge Heller and collaborators. The two most useful sections of this chapter were those on “control of oolvmer hvdrolvsis rate” and “development of spkci& deliiery s&terns”. Overall, this text is invaluable to those just entering the field ofbiodegradable ,,olymers in that it provides a concise description and evahlation of the leading biodegradable polymers of today. Indeed, those who have been in the field for some time may find it infinitely more pleasant to reach for this book for the information that they need rather than searching through innumerable filing cabinets. This reviewer would recommend this book highly, both for its content and readability, to all scientists interested in the field of biodegradable polymers and drug delivery.