Advances in Polymer-Based Drug-Delivery Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Drug-delivery systems are continuously evolving. Advances in drug discovery imply the development of systems that allow their adequate release. In addition, the need to establish dosing regimens that increase the efficacy of current treatments, or that facilitate the day-to-day life of patients, is driving the research in this field.

In this sense, the use of polymers, whatever their nature (of natural origin, semi-synthetic derivatives or products synthesized according to requirements) offers a great opportunity to develop drug-delivery systems with unique characteristics. The versatility offered by polymers, depending on the unique characteristics of each one of them, allows us to tailor drug-delivery systems to therapeutic requirements. Thus, it is possible to design sustained release systems, biodegradable systems, mucoadhesive systems or stimuli-sensitive release systems, among others. In addition, the properties offered by these polymers can be altered by chemical or enzymatic modifications, which change the number of branches or the presence of surface charges in these polymers, thus making it possible to modify their solubility, adhesiveness, viscosity or any other characteristic that is crucial for their use in systems for the delivery of active ingredients.

In this Special Issue, we propose the compilation of the most recent research articles in which polymers are used to develop formulations for drug delivery by any possible route of administration (oral, ocular, parenteral, etc.). Studies in which modifications are made to these polymers are also welcome if they can be useful in a later application for the subject of this issue. Similarly, bibliographic reviews in which the topic of study is updated, comparing the most recent scientific advances in the field, will be considered.

Dr. Maria-Dolores Veiga
Dr. Fernando Notario-Pérez
Dr. Roberto Ruiz-Caro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.