title: Prodrugs as self-assembled hydrogels: a new paradigm for biomaterials.
abstract: Prodrug-based self-assembled hydrogels represent a new class of active biomaterials that can be harnessed for medical applications, in particular the design of stimuli responsive drug delivery devices. In this approach, a promoiety is chemically conjugated to a known-drug to generate an amphiphilic prodrug that is capable of forming self-assembled hydrogels. Prodrug-based self-assembled hydrogels are advantageous as they alter the solubility of the drug, enhance drug loading, and eliminate the use of harmful excipients. In addition, self-assembled prodrug hydrogels can be designed to undergo controlled drug release or tailored degradation in response to biological cues. Herein we review the development of prodrug-based self-assembled hydrogels as an emerging class of biomaterials that overcome several common limitations encountered in conventional drug delivery.
authors: Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), National Centre for Biological Sciences Campus, UAS-GKVK Post, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560065, India; Ramalingaswami Fellow, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, India. Electronic address: praveenv@ncbs.res.in.
authors: Praveen Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Vemula
authors: Nikken
authors: N
authors: Wiradharma
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Ankrum
authors: Oscar R
authors: OR
authors: Miranda
authors: George
authors: G
authors: John
authors: Jeffrey M
authors: JM
authors: Karp
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D015195:Drug Design; D005079:Excipients; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005079:Excipients; D020100:Hydrogels; D011355:Prodrugs