Affinity-based drug delivery.

Affinity-based drug delivery systems utilize interactions between the therapeutic drug and the delivery system to manipulate drug loading and to control drug release. In this paper, affinity-based drug delivery system syntheses, types of therapeutic factors delivered, and delivery system loading and release are discussed in detail. The paper is divided into three subsections, based on the type of delivery system: molecular imprinting systems, growth-factor delivery, and cyclodextrin-based delivery. The objective of this paper is to examine the current state of research, highlight the breakthroughs and challenges, point out potential impacts of this relatively new technology, and explore future developmental areas.