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Polymeric Drugs and Drug Delivery Systems
Journal of Controlled Release 89 (2003) 143 www.elsevier.com / locate / jconrel
Book review Polymeric Drugs and Drug Delivery Systems, Edited by R.M. Ottenbrite and S.W. Kim, Technomic Publishing, Lancaster, PA; Basel. 2001, 313 pages. Advanced structures for drug delivery are reviewed by several well-known researchers in the controlled-release field with a wide-range of applications. The chapters read similar to an ACS symposium series book, with some disjointedness between topics, but are incorporated by the thread of unique polymer structures throughout. The materials include a balance of synthetic and biologically-derived and inspired materials, while several chapters offer insight into topics ranging from new analytical methods to novel synthesis techniques. The articles give an update on some of the current challenges in designing controlled-release vehicles, such as: development of protein-based carriers, engineered proteins that display temperature sensitivity, novel tools to study micelles and liposomes, development of biocompatible crosslinking agents and hybrid synthetic / biological structures. Some of the articles address issues to improve the responsiveness of environmentally-sensitive systems (including pH, glucose, temperature and ion strength). Novel struc-
tures discussed include those that improve the rapid response time needed for stimuli-sensitive release, and networks that incorporate multiple sensitivities. Although several chapters stray from the theme of the book, most of the chapters will be useful to chemists, engineers and pharmacists in furthering the development of drug delivery systems that: a) can target cells or mucosa, b) offer easily-tailored release profiles, c) are biocompatible, and d) allow stimulisensitive on / off release behavior. This book is not for a beginning researcher in this field, but a researcher in a field related to drug delivery will find a concise compilation of design approaches that are leading the way to novel drug delivery vehicles. The 22 chapters in this book are from wellrespected academic research laboratories and most are well-written.
0168-3659 / 03 / $ – see front matter 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016 / S0168-3659(03)00072-5
Christopher S. Brazel Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0203, USA
Book review Polymeric Drugs and Drug Delivery Systems, Edited by R.M. Ottenbrite and S.W. Kim, Technomic Publishing, Lancaster, PA; Basel. 2001, 313 pages. Advanced structures for drug delivery are reviewed by several well-known researchers in the controlled-release field with a wide-range of applications. The chapters read similar to an ACS symposium series book, with some disjointedness between topics, but are incorporated by the thread of unique polymer structures throughout. The materials include a balance of synthetic and biologically-derived and inspired materials, while several chapters offer insight into topics ranging from new analytical methods to novel synthesis techniques. The articles give an update on some of the current challenges in designing controlled-release vehicles, such as: development of protein-based carriers, engineered proteins that display temperature sensitivity, novel tools to study micelles and liposomes, development of biocompatible crosslinking agents and hybrid synthetic / biological structures. Some of the articles address issues to improve the responsiveness of environmentally-sensitive systems (including pH, glucose, temperature and ion strength). Novel struc-
tures discussed include those that improve the rapid response time needed for stimuli-sensitive release, and networks that incorporate multiple sensitivities. Although several chapters stray from the theme of the book, most of the chapters will be useful to chemists, engineers and pharmacists in furthering the development of drug delivery systems that: a) can target cells or mucosa, b) offer easily-tailored release profiles, c) are biocompatible, and d) allow stimulisensitive on / off release behavior. This book is not for a beginning researcher in this field, but a researcher in a field related to drug delivery will find a concise compilation of design approaches that are leading the way to novel drug delivery vehicles. The 22 chapters in this book are from wellrespected academic research laboratories and most are well-written.
0168-3659 / 03 / $ – see front matter 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016 / S0168-3659(03)00072-5
Christopher S. Brazel Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0203, USA