Hyaluronan for targeted drug delivery

Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan, HA) is a linear polysaccharide formed from disacharide units containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and glucuronic acid. HA is present in almost all biological fluids and tissues. In many cancer cells there is an upregulation of CD44, a receptor that binds HA. The receptor CD44 collocates hyaluronan in the special way. The bioconjugates built-up from the cytotoxic substances and hyaluronan are called prodrugs. The prodrugs can be used for targeted drug delivery system. Their main advantage is there is no need to medicine so high doses of pharmaceuticals and their adverse side effects are minimized. Hyaluronan can be used as well as the intra-articulation injection by osteoarthritis. HA is also used as the nutrition of joints, by treatment for diverse dermatic lesions, the repair of scars and it can be the ingredient of eye drops and nasal sprays. The cosmetic manufactures add HA into anti-wrinkle creams and anti-aging care