Synthetic biodegradable polyesters for implantable controlled-release devices.

INTRODUCTION: Implantable devices can be designed to release drugs to localized regions of tissue at sustained and reliable rates. Advances in polymer engineering have led to the design and development of drug-loaded implants with predictable, desirable release profiles. Biodegradable polyesters exhibit chemical, physical, and biological properties suitable for developing implants for pain management, cancer therapy, contraception, antiviral therapy, and other applications.

AREAS COVERED: This article reviews the use of biodegradable polyesters for drug-loaded implants by discussing the properties of commonly used polymers, techniques for implant formulation and manufacturing, mechanisms of drug release, and clinical applications of implants as drug delivery devices.

EXPERT OPINION: Drug delivery implants are unique systems for safe and sustained drug release, providing high bioavailability and low toxicity. Depending on the implant design and tissue site of deployment, implants can offer either localized or systemic drug release. Due to the long history of use of degradable polyesters in medical devices, polyester-based implants represent an important class of controlled release technologies. Further, polyester-based implants are the largest category of drug delivery implants to reach the point of testing in humans or approval for human use.