Macromolecular systems for controlled drug delivery

In recent years, significant efforts have been devoted to the application of nanotechnology for the development of devices to be employed as drug delivery systems. The synergic combination of polymeric science, drug delivery concepts and material technology offers challenging and precious opportunities for the achievement of new useful materials. In particular surfactants, lipids and polymeric systems play an important role in modern drug delivery, where they may allow control of the drug release rate, enhance effective drug solubility, minimize its degradation, contribute to reduced its toxicity and facilitate control of its uptake. In all, they contribute significantly to therapeutic efficiency.