SHORT CHAIN POLYMER FOR ENHANCING THE BIOADHESIVENESS OF POLYMERS ON MUCOSAL MEMBRANE

摘要

Methods and compositions are provided for enhancing the bioadhesive properties of polymers used in drug delivery systems. The bioadhesive properties of a base polymer are enhanced by incorporating a short chain polymer with one or more free carboxylic groups into the base polymer to enhance the ability of the base polymer to adhere to a tissue surface such as a mucosal membrane. The short chain polymers can be incorporated within a wide range of base polymers including proteins, polysaccharides and synthetic biocompatible polymers. In one embodiment, short chain polymers can be incorporated within base polymers used to form or coat drug delivery systems, such as microspheres, which contain a drug or diagnostic agent. The short chain polymers can either be solubilized and blended with the base polymer before manufacture or else used as a coating with base polymers over existing systems. The base polymers, for example in the form of microspheres, have improved ability to adhere to mucosal membranes, and thus can be used to deliver a drug or diagnostic agent via any of a range of mucosal membrane surfaces including those of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, excretory and reproductive tracts.