This symposium provided a setting in which scientists could gather to discuss recent advances and state-of-the-art technology in drug delivery. Speakers included pharmaceutical scientists, polymer chemists, bioengineers, pharmacologists and physicians who were considered to be leaders in the field of research and development of drug delivery systems. Perspectives on drug delivery systems and development have changed markedly since the first symposium on this subject was held. Focus on biological mechanisms and interactions important to drug delivery systems has increased. This changing emphasis is reflected in the five major topics discussed: transport mechanisms across membranes, proteins and macromolecular drug delivery, new developments in drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in controlled drug delivery, and targeting and site-specific delivery. The breadth of topics covered illustrates the interdisciplinary and multifaceted nature of drug delivery systems.

Table of Contents:
I. Transport Mechanisms Across Membranes. Biophysical model approaches to mechanistic transepithelial studies of peptides (N.F.H. Ho et al.). Transport and permeability properties of human Caco-2 cells: An in vitro model of the intestinal epithelial cell barrier (G. Wilson et al.). Nutrient effects on intestinal drug absorption (D. Fleisher et al.). Blood-brain barrier: Mechanisms of peptide regulation and transport (K.L. Audus). Delivery of vital drugs to the brain for the treatment of brain tumors (N.H. Greig et al.). Mechanisms and facilitation of corneal drug penetration (V.H.L. Lee). II. Transdermal and Iontophoretic Delivery. Solvent-mediated alterations of the stratum corneum (K. Knutson et al.). Electrochemical and iontophoretic studies of human skin (J.D. DeNuzzio, B. Berner). A comparison of pulsed and continuous current iontophoresis (T. Baniefski, R.R. Burnette). In vitro and in vivo evaluation of transdermal iontophoretic delivery of hydromorphone (R.V. Padmanabhan et al.). III. Proteins and Macromolecular Drug Delivery. The clinical efficacy of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified proteins (F. Fuertges, A. Abuchowski). Alteration of biopharmaceutical properties of drugs by their conjugation with water-soluble macromolecules: Uricase-dextran conjugate (T. Fujita et al.). Cell delivery and tissue regeneration (A.I. Caplan). Albumin-heparin microspheres as carriers for cytostatic agents (H.F.M. Cremers et al.). Mechanochemical approaches to self-regulating insulin pump design (R.A. Siegel, B.A. Firestone). Self-regulated glycosylated insulin delivery (S.W. Kim et al.). IV. Microspheres, Liposomes and Other Delivery Systems. Controlled vaccine release in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues. I. Orally administered biodegradable microspheres target the Peyer's patches (J.H. Eldridge et al.). Preparation and permeability characteristics of microcapsule membranes (T. Kondo). Liposomes as a delivery system for membrane-active antitumor drugs (R.L. Juliano, S.S. Daoud). Drug-laden liposomes in antitumor therapy and in the treatment of parasitic diseases (D.J.A. Crommelin et al.). Controlled release implants for cardiovascular disease (R.J. Levy et al.). Thermally on-off switching polymers for drug permeation and release (T. Okano et al.). V. Targeting and Site-specific Delivery. Polymer micelles as novel drug carrier: Adriamycin-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(aspartic acid) block copolymer (M. Yokoyama et al.). The potential of water-soluble polymeric carriers in targeted and site-specific drug delivery (J. Kopecek). Peptide sequences that target proteins for lysosomal degradation (J.F. Dice). Antibody-linked chelating polymers for immunoimaging in vivo (V.P. Torchilin et al.). VI. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics. A structured approach to the development of a controlled-release drug delivery system for a b-adrenoceptor blocking drug (V.A. John).