Cyclodextrins-block copolymer drug delivery systems: From design and development to preclinical studies

Cyclodextrin (CD)-block copolymer hybrid systems have recently received great attention from the pharmaceutical and materials research community because this combination can result in new biomaterials and supramolecular structures, which possess the physicochemical and thermotropic properties of both classes of materials. Different structures of CD-block copolymer systems have been described (i.e., micelles, vehicles, core-shell structures, nanospheres, and membranes) and they can encapsulate active pharmaceutical ingredients or other bioactive compounds. The aim of this review is to summarize several examples, the properties, the morphological and physicochemical characteristics, the added value, the techniques used for their preparation and characterization, as well as the limitations of CD-block copolymer systems. Taking into consideration the wide variety of block copolymers and CD materials and the expected beneficial characteristics/behavior following their complexation, we could suggest them as new-generation formulations in the upcoming years.