Polymers in Localized Controlled Drug Delivery Systems (LCDDSs)

Polymeric and biopolymeric materials and nanostructures have been extensively used in drug delivery, and especially in the development of localized controlled drug delivery systems (LCDDS). Stimuli-sensitive biopolymeric materials are achieving remarkable consideration as smart multipurpose systems that exhibit superb potential in several applications. LCDDS allow high delivery levels at the target area, low cytotoxicity, excellent biocompatibility and prolonged drug exposure that can be helpful for targeted cellular therapeutic molecules. This chapter focuses on synthetic and natural degradable biopolymeric materials for LCDDS, focusing on their advantages, challenges, and clinical applicability. Recent progress in typical and stimuli-sensitive biopolymeric materials has also been reviewed. The features of biodegradable polymers and biopolymers for various purposes are discussed, and the advantages of these materials and biomaterials are highlighted. Moreover, different emerging functions of these polymers in a drug delivery system are discussed.