Cyclodextrins as “smart” components of polymer nanoparticles

Since many years, cyclodextrins (CDs) have been extensively used to improve the physico-chemical properties such as stability, solubility and bioavailability of many drugs of interest. They clearly appear to be not just simple additives, but rather “smart” parts of the drug delivery devices themselves. This review is focused on some original nanoparticulate systems resulting from the combination of CDs with (co)polymers or oligomers and the use of polymeric CDs. Various drugs, contrast agents as well as genes have been successfully entrapped and delivered. The delivery devices found applications in the fields of oral, intravenous, nasal or ocular administration, whereas “decorated” nanoparticles have been used for targeting purposes. It is expected that in the near future new innovative applications of CDs will emerge, with more and more sophisticated drug delivery systems taking advantage of the peculiar structure of CDs and its unique properties.