Calcium phosphate biomaterials as bone drug delivery systems: a review

A short review is proposed on the existing literature for the research performed in calcium phosphate (CaP) biomaterials used as drug delivery systems. In the first part, a brief update is given on the performance of both CaP ceramics and CaP cements. Second, a review of the research and clinical situation is developed for CaP materials already used as drug delivery systems. Experimental works performed for local delivery are reported. In particular, a description is given of the in vitro and in vivo studies in which these materials are loaded with various proteins and drugs.