Polyanhydride-Based Drug Delivery Systems
Summary
Polyanhydrides are a class of synthetic, surface-eroding polymers distinguished by their hydrolytically labile anhydride bonds, which yield non-toxic diacid by-products upon degradation. Their degradation is governed predominantly by surface erosion rather than bulk hydrolysis, allowing zero-order release kinetics and highly predictable drug delivery profiles. By modulating monomer composition, hydrophobicity and crystallinity, researchers tailor erosion rates and mechanical properties to suit diverse therapeutic needs. Formulations include solid implants, injectable pastes, microspheres and nanoparticles. The capacity of polyanhydride systems to provide sustained release of small molecules, peptides, vaccines and nucleic acids has driven interest in their application to oncology, infectious diseases and chronic wound management. Advances in polymer functionalisation and hybridisation with stimuli-responsive moieties further enhance targeting and on-demand release, underscoring the global significance of this platform for improving patient compliance and treatment efficacy.
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Polyanhydride-Based Drug Delivery Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in polyanhydride-based drug delivery systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Polyanhydride: A biodegradable polymer characterised by hydrolytically labile anhydride bonds that erode from the surface, enabling controlled drug release.
Surface erosion: A degradation mechanism in which polymer mass is lost exclusively at the material’s exterior, yielding zero-order release kinetics.
Zero-order kinetics: A release profile in which a constant amount of drug is delivered per unit time, independent of concentration.
Microsphere: A spherical polymer particle, typically in the micrometre size range, used for encapsulating and releasing drug substances.
Hydrophobicity: The tendency of a molecule or polymer segment to repel water, influencing degradation rate and drug partitioning.
Stimulus-responsive: A material property that enables a response—such as accelerated degradation or payload release—upon encountering a specific environmental trigger (e.g. pH, temperature).
Crystallinity: The degree of ordered, crystalline domains within a polymer that can impede water diffusion and slow degradation.
References
- Polyanhydride Chemistry. Biomacromolecules (2022).
- Systematic Studies on Surface Erosion of Photocrosslinked Polyanhydride Tablets and Data Correlation with Release Kinetic Models. Polymers (2020).
- Polyanhydride Microcapsules Exhibiting a Sharp pH Transition at Physiological Conditions for Instantaneous Triggered Release. Langmuir (2023).
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