Biomedical applications of degradable polyphosphazenes

This article describes the synthesis of biodegradable polyphosphazenes. The rate of degradation can be varied in a controllable manner by the introduction of hydrolysis‐sensitive amino acid ester side groups or by blending of polymers. Biodegradable polyphosphazenes can be used for the preparation of drug‐containing implants and this is illustrated for devices containing the cytostatic agent mitomycin C. This article reviews data about the degradation characteristics of poly[(amino acid ester)phosphazene] derivatives that have been discussed previously. Some new data about MMC‐containing poly[(organo)phosphazene] devices are discussed as well. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.