Controlled release of human immunoglobulin G. 2. Morphological characterization

Human immunoglobulin G (IgG) serves as an important chemotherapeutic agent for a number of immunological ailments and as a carrier in the targeted del ivery of other therapeutic agents. This paper deals with the characterizati on of IgG-dispersed monolithic matrixes of different geometries, prepared u sing a nonbiodegradable polymer carrier EVAc. The morphological changes ass ociated with the matrix during drug release was studied using scanning elec tron 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 th ese techniques in understanding the morphological structure of matrixes and mode of release kinetics.