Biomaterial Database

Hydrogels for Therapeutic Delivery: Current Developments and Future Directions. 2017

Sytze J Buwalda, and Tina Vermonden, and Wim E Hennink

Institute of Biomolecules Max Mousseron, Department of Artificial Biopolymers, Faculty of Pharmacy, UMR 5247, CNRS-University of Montpellier-ENSCM , Montpellier, France.

Hydrogels are attractive materials for the controlled release of therapeutics because of their capacity to embed biologically active agents in their water-swollen network. Recent advances in organic and polymer chemistry, bioengineering and nanotechnology have resulted in several new developments in the field of hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. In this Perspective, we present our view on the state-of-the-art in the field, thereby focusing on a number of exciting topics, including bioorthogonal cross-linking methods, multicomponent hydrogels, stimuli-responsive hydrogels, nanogels, and the release of therapeutics from 3D printed hydrogels. We also describe the challenges that should be overcome to facilitate translation from academia to the clinic and last, we share our ideas about the future of this rapidly evolving area of research.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011108	Polymers	Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS).	Polymer
D004337	Drug Carriers	Forms to which substances are incorporated to improve the delivery and the effectiveness of drugs. Drug carriers are used in drug-delivery systems such as the controlled-release technology to prolong in vivo drug actions, decrease drug metabolism, and reduce drug toxicity. Carriers are also used in designs to increase the effectiveness of drug delivery to the target sites of pharmacological actions. Liposomes, albumin microspheres, soluble synthetic polymers, DNA complexes, protein-drug conjugates, and carrier erythrocytes among others have been employed as biodegradable drug carriers.	Drug Carrier
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001672	Biocompatible Materials	Synthetic or natural materials, other than DRUGS, that are used to replace or repair any body TISSUES or bodily function.	Biomaterials,Bioartificial Materials,Hemocompatible Materials,Bioartificial Material,Biocompatible Material,Biomaterial,Hemocompatible Material,Material, Bioartificial,Material, Biocompatible,Material, Hemocompatible
D016503	Drug Delivery Systems	Systems for the delivery of drugs to target sites of pharmacological actions. Technologies employed include those concerning drug preparation, route of administration, site targeting, metabolism, and toxicity.	Drug Targeting,Delivery System, Drug,Delivery Systems, Drug,Drug Delivery System,Drug Targetings,System, Drug Delivery,Systems, Drug Delivery,Targeting, Drug,Targetings, Drug
D020100	Hydrogels	Water swollen, rigid, 3-dimensional network of cross-linked, hydrophilic macromolecules, 20-95% water. They are used in paints, printing inks, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Hydrogel,In Situ Hydrogel,In Situ Hydrogels,Patterned Hydrogel,Patterned Hydrogels,Hydrogel, In Situ,Hydrogel, Patterned
D023822	Tissue Engineering	Generating tissue in vitro for clinical applications, such as replacing wounded tissues or impaired organs. The use of TISSUE SCAFFOLDING enables the generation of complex multi-layered tissues and tissue structures.	Engineering, Tissue