Biodegradable Materials: Revolutionizing Drug Delivery with Enhanced Efficacy and Safety

In the field of pharmaceutical sciences, drug delivery systems are pivotal in determining the efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions. Traditional drug delivery methods often face challenges such as fluctuating drug levels, leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and increased side effects. Controlled drug delivery systems, however, maintain drug concentration within the therapeutic range for extended periods, offering improved patient compliance and reduced adverse effects. A critical component of these systems is the use of excipients or additives, particularly polymeric materials, which regulate the drug release rate. Recent advancements have highlighted the potential of biodegradable materials, which can be broken down by biological processes and safely excreted from the body, as promising candidates for these applications. Despite these advancements, there remain significant gaps in understanding the optimal selection and design of these materials to maximize their efficacy and safety in drug delivery systems.

This research topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the material science of biodegradable materials within controlled drug delivery systems. It seeks to explore key concepts, principles, and methodologies in the formulation of these systems, while showcasing breakthroughs in the design, development, and characterization of biodegradable drug delivery systems. The research will address existing challenges and limitations, exploring strategies to overcome these obstacles by identifying emerging trends and future directions, such as the incorporation of nanotechnology, personalized medicine approaches, and biomimetic principles to enhance drug delivery efficacy and specificity.

To gather further insights in the realm of biodegradable materials in engineered drug delivery systems, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Application of biodegradable polymers in controlled release formulation
- Biodegradable polymers used in pharmaceutical sciences
- Biodegradable polymers used in targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy
- Natural and modified polymers used in controlled drug delivery
- Polymers used in 3-D printing
- Coating materials used in targeted drug delivery
- Materials used in bioengineering for the treatment of diseases

Keywords: Polymer, Drug delivery, Pharmaceutical Excipients, Pharmaceutical Materials, Bioengineering, biodegradable materials

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.