Drug Delivery Systems for Tissue Engineering

Drug delivery systemsDrug delivery systems (DDSs) are developed having in view the need to control the dose (within the therapeuticTherapeutic approach level) and the time of administration of different biologically active agentsBiologically active agents being known that higher concentration of the therapeutic agent could be toxic while the lower concentration could be inefficient. These systems can be developed for pure regenerationRegeneration of the injured bone, skinSkin, nerves, etc. but also for the the treatment of specific diseases such as infections, cancers, osteoporosis, and more. Depending on the applications, various biologically active agents (both natural or synthetic agents) but also supports are used to better address the needs of the patients. As supports, polymers, ceramics and compositesComposites were especially considered for highlighting the benefits of these DDSsDrug delivery systems. Moreover, based on the advances in the last decades, many smart drug delivery systemsSmart drug delivery systems were developed and additional features were developed such as triggering and targeted delivery, which permits further lowering the dose of the therapeuticTherapeutic approach agent and ensures the drug delivery to the right organ or tissue, eliminating or at least considerably reducing the systemic side effects. All these features are assuring the premises of “personalized therapy” which are especially important when toxic agents are used (such as chemotherapeutic or antimicrobial agents). The chapter is structured to cover the history of the drug delivery systemsDrug delivery systems (including devices), some information about the smart drug delivery systemsSmart drug delivery systems as well as some case studies related to enhanced healing, innovative therapies and the treatment of specific diseases. Based on the major conclusions, some of the perspectives are also presented.