Microparticles Based Drug Delivery Systems: Preparation and Application in Cancer Therapeutics

Great leaps in the area of genetic engineering, biotechnology, combinatorial chemistry and computer aided drug design have been instrumental in creation of many active molecules. However the most frequent problems such as poor solubility, lack of bioavailability, poor diffusibility, plaque these active molecules with lack of efficacy as well as potential commercial benefits to patient and pharma industry. To overcome these critical limitations extensive research efforts are underway to develop suitable devices for drug delivery. Indeed, devices are being designed to provide maximal therapeutic effect, at right time, thereby minimizing frequency of administration and proper localization by active or passive targeting, leading to better compliance and reduced side effects. The progress in controlled drug delivery devices like formulation of polymer based pellets; disk, rod shapes and Microparticles are proving to be a boon in overcoming the difficulties associated with traditional method of administration. Microparticles consist of encapsulated or uniformly dispersed drug(s) in polymers and release it at control rate for a longer period of time. Microparticles are increasingly being explored in new anticancer therapies mainly due to their target specificity, biocompatibility and sustain drug release for long period of time. In this review, various preparative methods and application of the microparticle based drug delivery systems have been discussed.