Polymer assemblies for controlled delivery of bioactive molecules from surfaces.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Controlled release of bioactive compounds from biomedical devices is crucial for therapeutic efficacy.
• Surface coatings are key for achieving spatial and temporal control over drug release rates.
• The layer-by-layer (LbL) technique offers a versatile platform for developing such advanced coatings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in constructing LbL surface coatings for controlled bioactive molecule delivery.
• To explore the use of linear polymers, polymer nanoparticles, and block copolymer micelles in LbL films.
• To discuss strategies for controlling drug release rates using various stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Layer-by-layer assembly using linear polymers, polymer nanoparticles, and block copolymer micelles.
• Incorporation of stimuli-responsive cores in micelles for enhanced control.
• Utilizing degradation, pH, ionic strength, temperature, light, electric fields, and chemical/biological stimuli to modulate release.

Main Results:

• LbL technique enables the creation of diverse surface coatings with tailored internal architectures.
• Controlled release of therapeutics can be achieved through various stimuli-responsive mechanisms.
• Stratified multilayer films show potential for multi-stage drug delivery applications.

Conclusions:

• LbL assembly is a powerful method for fabricating sophisticated surface coatings for controlled drug delivery.
• Stimuli-responsive materials and LbL architectures offer precise control over drug release kinetics.
• Future opportunities lie in developing multi-stage delivery systems for complex therapeutic needs.