Hydrogels for Protein Delivery

This review describes injectable polymeric delivery systemsused for the controlled release of pharmaceutical proteins, withspecial focus on hydrogels. We shortly overview the currentlyavailable technologies other than hydrogels, which includelipid-based delivery systems, nano/microparticles based ondegradable hydrophobic polymers, highlighting their rationale,characteristics, and shortcomings in protein delivery. In thisreview, hydrogels are extensively described, from their generalfeatures to recent advances in synthesis and pharmaceutical andclinical applications. The discussion covers injectable systemsbased on nano- and particularly microparticles as well asphysical and chemical cross-linking methods used…