title: Drug-releasing shape-memory polymers - the role of morphology, processing effects, and matrix degradation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have gained interest for temporary drug-release systems that should be anchored in the body by self-sufficient active movements of the polymeric matrix.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the so far published scientific literature, this review highlights three aspects that require particular attention when combining SMPs with drug molecules: i) the defined polymer morphology as required for the shape-memory function, ii) the strong effects that processing conditions such as drug-loading methodologies can have on the drug-release pattern from SMPs, and iii) the independent control of drug release and degradation by their timely separation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of SMPs with a drug-release functionality leads to multifunctional carriers that are an interesting technology for pharmaceutical sciences and can be further expanded by new materials such as thermoplastic SMPs or temperature-memory polymers. Experimental studies should include relevant molecules as (model) drugs and provide a thermomechanical characterization also in an aqueous environment, report on the potential effect of drug type and loading levels on the shape-memory functionality, and explore the potential correlation of polymer degradation and drug release.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterial Science and Berlin-Brandenburg Centre for Regenerative Therapies, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Teltow, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wischke
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behl
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lendlein
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D044366:Transition Temperature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers