Polymers loaded with bioactive agents

摘要

A fibrous polymer implant loaded with one or more bioactive agents is prepared using a wet spinning technique. Preferably, an aqueous solution of bioactive agent is added to a solution of amphiphilic block copolymer containing hydrophilic blocks such as polyalkylene glycol and hydrophobic blocks such as an aromatic ester dissolved in a first solvent immiscible with water to form an emulsion. The emulsion is injected through a nozzle into a second solvent miscible with the first solvent in which the copolymer is essentially insoluble to form a solid copolymer fiber loaded with the bioactive agent. The fiber is shaped into an implant. Water content of the aqueous solution of bioactive agent affects rate of release of the bioactive agent in vivo. Bioactive agents include peptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides and proteins. The implant may be used as a carrier for controlled drug release or as a scaffold for tissue engineering.