The molecularly imprinted polymer essentials: curation of anticancer, ophthalmic, and projected gene therapy drug delivery systems

Tuwahatu, C.A., Yeung, C.C., Lam, Y.W. and Roy, V.A.L. (2018) The molecularly imprinted polymer essentials: curation of anticancer, ophthalmic, and projected gene therapy drug delivery systems. Journal of Controlled Release, 287, pp. 24-34. (doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.08.023) (PMID:30110614)

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Abstract

The development of polymeric materials as drug delivery systems has advanced from systems that rely on classical passive targeting to carriers that can sustain the precisely controlled release of payloads upon physicochemical triggers in desired microenvironment. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), materials designed to capture specific molecules based on their molecular shape and charge distribution, are attractive candidates for fulfilling these purposes. In particular, drug-imprinted polymers coupled with active targeting mechanisms have been explored as potential drug delivery systems. In this review, we have curated important recent efforts in the development of drug-imprinted polymers in a variety of clinical applications, especially oncology and ophthalmology. MIP possesses properties that may complement the traditional delivery systems of these two disciplines, such as passive enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) in cancer tumors, and passive drug diffusion in delivering ophthalmic therapeutics. Furthermore, the prospects of MIP integration with the emerging gene therapies will be discussed.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:We acknowledge grants from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Project no. T42-103/16N and we acknowledge the designer Miss Melinda Junata for the graphical abstract design.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Vellaisamy, Professor Roy
Authors: Tuwahatu, C.A., Yeung, C.C., Lam, Y.W., and Roy, V.A.L.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Journal of Controlled Release
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0168-3659
ISSN (Online):1873-4995
Published Online:12 August 2018

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