title: Non-degradable polymer nanocomposites for drug delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The need to optimize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects is a major driving force for research and development in the controlled drug delivery field. Polymer nanocomposites (NCs) are an emerging class of materials with remarkable potential for controlled drug delivery. There are a range of release mechanisms that characterize polymer NC systems, and these may be perturbed not only by the addition of nanofillers, but also by the type of drug and the interactions of the drug with the components of the system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The focus of this review is on non-degradable polymer NC systems. In particular, the types of drug delivery approach from these polymer NCs and the theoretical models developed to describe those approaches are discussed. The importance of component interactions and factors affecting drug delivery from polymer NCs is also addressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the remarkable potential and extensive research being conducted on polymer NCs for use in drug delivery, commercialization and large-scale production are limited by the cost and difficulty in consistently producing fully exfoliated NCs. A continuing challenge for the field is to understand better the key interactions and structure-property relationships arising from different polymer, filler and drug combinations.
authors.affiliation: The University of New South Wales, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Johnson Hsiang-Yu
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Laura Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Poole-Warren
mesh_terms: D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D008956:Models, Chemical; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers; D017640:Silicates; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C033214:Smectite