title: BIOCOMPATIBLE TARGETING HYDROGELS FOR BREAST CANCER TREATMENT.
abstract: Hydrogels have received growing attention as materials for drug delivery systems (DDS) because of their biodegradable and biocompatible properties. DDS were developed to optimize the therapeutic properties of drug products and to render them more safe, effective, and reliable. In the past, drugs were frequently administered orally, as liquids or in powder forms. To avoid problems incurred through the utilization of the oral route of administration, new dosage forms, DDS, containing the drugs were introduced. They can deliver drugs directly to the intended site of action and can also improve treatment efficacy, while minimizing unwanted side effects elsewhere in the body, which often limit the long-term use of many drugs, and provide better efficacy of treatment. Biocompatible hydrogels are an example of such systems available for therapeutic use. In this review, results from recent publications concerning these systems are discussed. Hydrogels show superior effectiveness over conventional methods of treatment providing controlled release of active substances. They are of interest in medical applications such as breast cancer treatment.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cassano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mellace
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ricchio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andò
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Picci
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy. sonia.trombino@unical.it.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trombino
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels