Controlled release of human immunoglobulin G. 2. Morphological characterization

Abstract

Human immunoglobulin G (IgG) serves as an important chemotherapeutic agent for a number of immunological ailments and as a carrier in the targeted delivery of other therapeutic agents. This paper deals with the characterization of IgG-dispersed monolithic matrixes of different geometries, prepared using a nonbiodegradable polymer carrier EVAc. The morphological changes associated with the matrix during drug release was studied using scanning electron microscopy, polarizing microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and the results were compared. The study answered the burst effect problem significantly and illustrated the potential of these techniques in understanding the morphological structure of matrixes and mode of release kinetics.