title: Local drug delivery to the inner ear using biodegradable materials.
abstract: The lack of an effective method of drug delivery has been a considerable obstacle in the development of novel therapeutics for inner ear diseases. However, several strategies have been investigated to achieve drug delivery to the inner ear, particularly for local application. Here, we review recent advances in the development of inner ear drug-delivery systems, focusing on biodegradable materials. Both synthetic and natural biodegradable materials have shown efficacy for inner ear drug delivery, resulting in an attenuation of hearing loss in animal models. We expect the further development of such drug-delivery systems to help translate the findings of experimental studies to clinical applications.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. tnakagawa@ent.kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors: Takayuki
authors: T
authors: Nakagawa
authors: Juichi
authors: J
authors: Ito
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000187:drug effects; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants