Silk fibroin biomaterials for controlled release drug delivery

Owing to its unique material properties, stabilization effects and tight controllability, silk fibroin is a promising biomaterial for implantable and injectable drug delivery applications. Many promising control points have been identified, and characterization of the relationships between silk processing and/or material properties and the resulting drug loading and release kinetics will ultimately enhance the overall utility of this unique biomaterial. The ever-expanding biomaterial 'tool kit' that silk provides will eventually allow the simultaneous optimization of implant structure, material properties and drug release behavior that is needed to maximize the cost-efficiency, convenience, efficacy and safety of many new and existing therapeutics, especially those that cannot be delivered by means of traditional administration approaches.