Advancing the field of drug delivery: taking aim at cancer.
Drug delivery systems for cancer therapeutics have now been used by millions of patients and have resulted in the creation of new therapies as well as significantly improving existing ones. Here we discuss a number of the drug delivery systems that have been approved by regulatory authorities and that are currently in clinical use, such as controlled delivery of cancer therapeutics, local chemotherapy, polymer drug conjugates, liposomal systems, and transdermal drug delivery patches. The next generation of "smart" drug delivery approaches such as controlled release microchips are discussed as are some of the future challenges and directions in this field.
Moses
Marsha A
MA
The Vascular Biology Program, Children's Hospital and the Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Brem
Henry
H
Langer
Robert
R
D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000523:psychology; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000523:psychology; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008863:Microspheres; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations