Control release of biopolymers to enhance immune response

CASTRO, GUILLERMO R; PANILAITIS BRUCE,; BORA EMILIA; KAPLAN DAVID L.

Molecular Pharmaceutics

American Chemical Society

Lugar: Whasington DC; Año: 2007 vol. 4 p. 33 - 46

1543-8384

Controlled release of biologically active compounds in the context of drug and vaccinedelivery is an important area of research with broad implications in many areas of medicine. Inparticular, the challenges of oral delivery are of specific interest to reduce the cost and potentialhealth risks related to parenteral administration of pharmaceuticals and vaccine formulations.We discuss the biological activities of two biopolymers, â-glucans and emulsans, both of whichoffer significant potential for individual formulations related to drug impact, while in combinationoffer synergistic opportunities in terms of formulation and delivery. â-Glucans have beenestablished as potent immunomodulatory and biologically active compounds with application ina wide range of disease systems. The emulsan family of biopolymers also has significant potentialin vaccine and drug delivery based on recent studies. Each of these biopolymers offers excitingopportunities to modulate biological responses via control of chemistry and physical propertiesachieved during biosynthesis or postsynthesis modifications. When combined into a deliverysystem for controlled release, synergistic outcomes may be achieved that offer new and excitingopportunities as described in the present paper. These outcomes represent the combinedimprovements of solubility in physiological environments and immunomodulation due to thespecific chemistry and structures involved. Overall, this approach provides a new direction incontrolled release wherein the biomaterial carrier, in this case emulsan, and the drug, in thiscase â-glucan, play an active role both in biological activation as well as in delivery profiles.