Recent Advances in Ocular Drug Delivery Systems 英文参考文献.docVIP

Polymers 2011, 3, 193-221; doi:10.3390/polym3010193 OPEN ACCESS polymers ISSN 2073-4360 /journal/polymers Review Recent Advances in Ocular Drug Delivery Systems Noriyuki Kuno * and Shinobu Fujii Research and Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8916-16 Takayama-cho, Ikoma-shi, Nara 630-0101, Japan; E-Mail: shinobu.fujii.19@ * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: noriyuki.kuno@; Tel.: +81-743-79-4508; Fax: +81-743-79-4518. Received: 2 November 2010; in revised form: 9 December 2010 / Accepted: 31 December 2010 / Published: 6 January 2011 Abstract: Transport of drugs applied by traditional dosage forms is restricted to the eye, and therapeutic drug concentrations in the target tissues are not maintained for a long duration since the eyes are protected by a unique anatomy and physiology. For the treatment of the anterior segment of the eye, various droppable products to prolong the retention time on the ocular surface have been introduced in the market. On the other hand, direct intravitreal implants, using biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymer technology, have been widely investigated for the treatment of chronic vitreoretinal diseases. There is urgent need to develop ocular drug delivery systems which provide controlled release for the treatment of chronic diseases, and increase patient’s and doctor’s convenience to reduce the dosing frequency and invasive treatment. In this article, progress of ocular drug delivery systems under clinical trials and in late experimental stage is reviewed. Keywords: eye; drug delivery systems; ocular barriers; intravitreal implant 1. Introduction The eye-ball is an organ protected from exogenous substances and external stress by various barriers (Figure 1), therefore, therapeutic drugs must be transported across several protective barriers regardless of which administration route is utilized, such a