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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Drug delivery systems based on intrinsically conducting polymers.
Anna Puiggalí-Jou1, Luis J Del Valle1, Carlos Alemán2
1Departament d'Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. I2, 08019 Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, C/ Eduard Maristany, 10-14, Ed. C, 08019 Barcelona, Spain.
Summary
Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) offer controlled drug delivery by releasing medications upon electrical stimulation. This technology enhances drug targeting and reduces side effects, optimizing treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Drug delivery systems (DDSs) aim to improve therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects by targeting specific organs.
- Current DDSs are being developed for targeted administration and controlled drug release in response to external stimuli.
- Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) are organic polymers with electrical properties similar to metals, offering mechanical stability and processability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of current research on intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) as novel drug delivery systems (DDSs).
- To focus on the application of ICPs for drug release triggered by electrical stimuli.
- To explore the potential of ICPs in sensing redox molecules and self-adjusting drug release rates.
Main Methods:
- Review of up-to-date research on intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs).
- Analysis of ICPs' synthesis progress and their application in drug delivery systems (DDSs).
- Investigation of drug release mechanisms modulated by electrical stimulation and redox molecule sensing.
Main Results:
- ICPs can incorporate or release molecules based on their redox state, enabling on-demand drug delivery.
- The drug release rate from ICPs can be precisely controlled by the type of electrical stimulation applied.
- ICPs exhibit sensing capabilities for various redox molecules, paving the way for responsive DDSs.
Conclusions:
- Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) represent a promising platform for advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs).
- Electrical stimulation offers a method for finely tuning drug dosage and release kinetics, optimizing therapeutic effects.
- Future research directions include developing ICP-based DDSs with self-adjusting release rates based on environmental cues.
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