Cyclodextrins in peptide and protein delivery

The objective of this contribution is to summarize recent findings on the p otential of cyclodextrins (CDS) and their derivatives as carriers for thera peutically important peptides, proteins and oligonucleotides. As one of the indices relevant to bioadaptability of CDs in pharmaceutical uses, their i nteraction with cellular membranes in vitro is outlined. CDs enable the cre ation of advanced dosage forms for the next generation of drugs that are di fficult to formulate and deliver with the existing pharmaceutical excipient s. Furthermore, the diagnostic uses of CDs for the direct measurement of ch olesterol in high-density and low-density lipoproteins in serum are discuss ed on the basis of their ability to recognize the surface properties of eac h lipoprotein particle. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.