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Polymers
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Polymers and Their Role in Drug Delivery, 2nd Edition
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Polymers and Their Role in Drug Delivery, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 4818

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Panagiotis Barmpalexis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: drug delivery systems; polyesters; controlled drug release; polymeric solid dispersions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Afroditi Kapourani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: drug delivery systems; controlled drug release; polymeric solid dispersions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymers have played a significant role in improving drug delivery technology, by enabling the administration of therapeutic agents in several ways, such as by improving their solubility, and consequently their bioavailability when administrated orally, releasing them in constant doses over long periods via several routes of administration and achieving adjustable release for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. In this context, the rational design of polymers made to exert specific biological functions and the urge for customized drug delivery systems is currently the foundation for contemporary advancements in the field.

The in-depth discussion of polymers and the mechanisms of their incorporation into drug-delivery systems is a timely topic in the field of pharmaceutics, and despite the many advances in polymers and drug-delivery systems made over the years, there is still a need for novel, distinctive materials as a result of advancements in medicines.

Therefore, this Special Issue aims to cover all the latest methods, improvements and advantages concerning the role of polymers in drug delivery systems.

Dr. Panagiotis Barmpalexis
Dr. Afroditi Kapourani
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

Keywords

  • advanced polymeric materials
  • pharmaceutical applications
  • biomedical applications
  • drug delivery systems
  • medical devices
  • polymer theory and modelling

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5071 KiB  
Article
Effect of E-Beam Irradiation on Solutions of Fullerene C60 Conjugate with Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Folic Acid
by Anna V. Titova, Zhanna B. Lyutova, Alexandr V. Arutyunyan, Aleksandr S. Aglikov, Mikhail V. Zhukov, Lyudmila V. Necheukhina, Darya V. Zvyagina, Victor P. Sedov, Maria A. Markova, Anton V. Popugaev and Alina A. Borisenkova
Polymers 2025, 17(9), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17091259 - 5 May 2025
Viewed by 417
Abstract
The radiation sterilization of polymer-based drug solutions can change the characteristics that determine the efficiency of drug targeting, such as particle sizes in the solution and their surface potential. The effect of E-beam treatment at doses of 3 and 8 kGy in a [...] Read more.
The radiation sterilization of polymer-based drug solutions can change the characteristics that determine the efficiency of drug targeting, such as particle sizes in the solution and their surface potential. The effect of E-beam treatment at doses of 3 and 8 kGy in a Xe or air atmosphere on the hydrodynamic properties of dilute solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) conjugate with fullerene C60 and folic acid (FA-PVP-C60) was studied and compared with native PVP K30. The capillary viscometry method was used to determine the intrinsic viscosity of solutions. The particle sizes (Rh) were determined using the DLS method. The zeta potential of the particles was determined using the PALS method. The morphological features of the conjugate surface irradiated in a Xe atmosphere with a dose of 8 kGy FA-PVP-C60 were studied by AFM. The functionalization of FA-PVP-C60 and PVP during E-beam treatment was examined using UV- and FTIR-spectrometry. When the diluted solutions of FA-PVP-C60 and PVP were irradiated in air with a dose of 3 kGy, destruction of polymer chains occurred predominantly, but when the dose was increased to 8 kGy, intermolecular cross-linking occurred, leading to an increase in the characteristic viscosity and particle size in the solution. It was shown that the average particle sizes, amounting to 3 and 8 nm for PVP and 4 and 20 nm for FA-PVP-C60, did not change significantly under E-beam irradiation in a Xe atmosphere in the considered dose range. The zeta potential of the particles remained virtually unchanged for both PVP and FA-PVP-C60 under all irradiation conditions. The obtained results indicate the possibility of performing radiation sterilization of FA-PVP-C60 conjugate solutions in an inert gas atmosphere in the range of studied doses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Their Role in Drug Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 7525 KiB  
Article
Novel Molecular Weight Gradient Hyaluronate Dissolving Microneedles for Sustained Intralesional Delivery and Photodynamic Activation of Hematoporphyrin in Port-Wine Stain Therapy
by Xueli Peng, Chenxin Yan, Nengquan Fan, Chaoguo Sun, Suohui Zhang and Yunhua Gao
Polymers 2025, 17(9), 1238; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17091238 - 1 May 2025
Viewed by 393
Abstract
Port-wine stain (PWS), a progressive congenital vascular malformation characterized by ectatic dermal capillaries, demonstrates age-dependent lesion expansion and chromatic intensification, resulting in significant psychosocial comorbidity. While systemic hematoporphyrin (HP) administration remains the clinical paradigm for photodynamic therapy (PDT), its therapeutic utility is severely [...] Read more.
Port-wine stain (PWS), a progressive congenital vascular malformation characterized by ectatic dermal capillaries, demonstrates age-dependent lesion expansion and chromatic intensification, resulting in significant psychosocial comorbidity. While systemic hematoporphyrin (HP) administration remains the clinical paradigm for photodynamic therapy (PDT), its therapeutic utility is severely constrained by non-targeted biodistribution. Pharmacokinetic analyses reveal prolonged dermal retention and suboptimal lesion accumulation, predisposing 42% of patients to phototoxic reactions. To address these limitations, this work creatively suggested a local targeted drug delivery method based on soluble microneedles in response to the difficulties mentioned above. The rational design of a molecular weight (MW) HA gradient system enabled the engineering of ternary nanocomposite microneedles with enhanced biomechanical integrity (0.49 N/needle) and superior HP loading capacity, which collectively facilitated spatiotemporally controlled transdermal delivery of hematoporphyrin with complete dissolution within 30 min. The release performance, skin permeability, and storage stability of hematoporphyrin dissolving microneedles (HP-DMNs) have all been demonstrated in vitro. This study applies soluble microneedle technology to the delivery of HP in PWS for the first time. It avoids the risk of systemic exposure through precise local administration. It uses the rapid dissolution properties of microneedles to achieve high concentration and rapid release of drugs in skin lesions. This study provides a new strategy for sustained intralesional release and rapid drug delivery treatment of PWS and provides novel ideas for the development of new formulations of HP and related photosensitizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Their Role in Drug Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 7554 KiB  
Article
A Novel Intrauterine Device for the Extended Tissue-Specific Release of Estradiol and Norethindrone to Treat the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
by Ahmed Abdelgader, Mershen Govender, Pradeep Kumar and Yahya E. Choonara
Polymers 2025, 17(5), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17050665 - 28 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1911
Abstract
The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a prevalent condition impacting a substantial number of women globally. Presently, the management of GSM typically entails the administration of estrogen via oral, dermal, or vaginal routes for a prolonged period of time. This study involves [...] Read more.
The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a prevalent condition impacting a substantial number of women globally. Presently, the management of GSM typically entails the administration of estrogen via oral, dermal, or vaginal routes for a prolonged period of time. This study involves the development of a polymer-based hollow cylindrical delivery system loaded with estradiol hemihydrate (E2) for prolonged delivery to the uterine cavity (EPHCD) combined with a norethindrone acetate (NETA)-loaded polymeric matrix (NLPM), with both units placed onto an intra-uterine device to form a multi-component drug delivery system for the management of GSM (MCDDS). In developing EPHCD, a central composite design (CCD) was employed to evaluate and optimize the impact of formulation factors on EPHCD release and unit weight loss. The optimized EPHCD was further assessed for its chemical integrity, surface morphology, hydration characteristics, release behavior, ex vivo permeation and cytocompatibility. The optimized EPHCD, which featured a high drug load (10%) and low ethyl cellulose-to-polycaprolactone ratio (EC-to-PCL, 10%), demonstrated favorable attributes with a cumulative drug release and weight loss of 23.78 ± 0.84% and 2.09 ± 0.21%, respectively, over a 4-week testing period. The release kinetics were further noted to obey the Peppas–Sahlin model. Evaluation of MCDDS revealed an in vitro drug release comparable to the individual units, with permeation studies displaying an initial increase in the rate of flux for both drugs during the first 2 h, followed by a subsequent decrease. Moreover, the MCDDS components showed good cytocompatibility against NIH/3T3 cells, with cell viability of more than 70%. Upon evaluation of the MCDDS system, the results of this study highlight its potential as a viable sustained-release intrauterine platform for the treatment of GSM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Their Role in Drug Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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30 pages, 5691 KiB  
Article
Implantable Polymer Scaffolds Loaded with Paclitaxel–Cyclodextrin Complexes for Post-Breast Cancer Tissue Reconstruction
by Liliana-Roxana Balahura (Stămat), Andreea Ioana Dinu, Adriana Lungu, Hildegard Herman, Cornel Balta, Anca Hermenean, Andreea Iren Șerban and Sorina Dinescu
Polymers 2025, 17(3), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030402 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1623
Abstract
The side effects associated with the chemotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family (NLR), pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity, are responsible for the treatment failure and high mortality rates. Therefore, advanced delivery [...] Read more.
The side effects associated with the chemotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family (NLR), pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity, are responsible for the treatment failure and high mortality rates. Therefore, advanced delivery systems have been developed to improve the transport and targeted administration of anti-tumor agents at the tumor sites using tissue engineering approaches. Implantable delivery systems based on biodegradable polymers are an effective alternative due high biocompatibility, porosity, and mechanical strength. Moreover, the use of paclitaxel (PTX)-cyclodextrin complexes increases the solubility and permeability of PTX, enhancing the bioavailability and efficacy of the drug. All of these properties contribute to the efficient encapsulation and controlled release of drugs, preventing the damage of healthy tissues. In the current study, we detailed the synthesis process and evaluation of 3D scaffolds based on gelatin functionalized with methacryloyl groups (GelMA) and pectin loaded with PTX–cyclodextrin inclusion complexes on TNBC pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Bio-physio-chemical analysis of the proposed scaffolds revealed favorable mechanical and biological properties for the cellular component. To improve the drug solubility, a host–guest interaction was performed by the complexation of PTX with a cyclodextrin derivative prior to scaffold synthesis. The presence of PTX suppressed the growth of breast tumor cells and promoted caspase-1 activity, the release of interleukin (IL)-1β, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), conditioning the expression levels of the genes and proteins associated with breast tumorigenesis and NLRP3 inflammasome. The in vivo experiments suggested the activation of pyroptosis tumor cell death, confirming the in vitro experiments. In conclusion, the bio-mechanical properties of the GelMA and pectin-based scaffolds as well as the addition of the PTX–cyclodextrin complexes allow for the targeted and efficient delivery of PTX, suppressing the viability of the breast tumor cells via pyroptosis cell death initiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Their Role in Drug Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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