ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the most recent advances in “smart” drug delivery systems that respond to one or multiple stimuli. Polymers have been used to modify the drug release, which sustains the drug concentration within the desired therapeutic range. The benefits of using biodegradable polymers in scientific applications are apparent. Different types of natural and synthetic polymers are used for the development of bioresponsive drug formulation. Bioresponsive polymers act in response to small alterations in their surroundings with remarkable changes in their physical properties. Bioresponsive polymeric systems mainly arise from common functional groups that are known to interact with biologically relevant species, and in other instances, the synthetic polymer is conjugated to a biological component. Bioresponsive polymers are classified into antigen responsive polymers, glucose-sensitive polymers, and enzyme responsive polymers.
