In Situ Formation of Polymer Matrices for Localized Drug Delivery

Polymer matrices can be formed within the body in direct contact with cells and tissues by a variety of techniques, both physicochemical and covalent in nature, including thermal gelation, pH-sensitive gelation, the use of thixotropic materials, precipitation from certain organic solutions photopolymerization, and chemical cross-linking. these types of materials can be injected as liquids and converted to a gel or solid in situ. Many of these polymer systems are appropriate for delivery of peptides and proteins.