Hyaluronic Acid in Drug Delivery

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural biodegradable and biocompatible polymer fabricated in the human body has attracted considerable attention from scientists in recent years. HA is a nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan and a major component of the extracellular matrix. The unique properties of HA and its wide range of molecular weight have resulted in this polymer being formulated and used in diverse biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems. HA can play an essential role as a carrier for delivery and controlled release of different bio and chemical molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and anti-tumor drugs in various routes. It can also be used as a targeting agent in modified delivery systems as its main receptor (CD44) is highly expressed in many types of cancers. Many research studies have exhibited the potential of HA in further targeted chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy applications. This chapter discusses the main characteristics of HA and its distinctive applications in drug/gene delivery and imaging systems.