Advanced Drug Delivery Systems: Nanoparticles

Definition: Nanoparticles are particles with a size range of 1-100 nm, used to deliver drugs to specific sites in the body
Types:
- Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)
- Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs)
- Inorganic nanoparticles (e.g. gold, silver)
Advantages:
- Enhanced bioavailability
- Improved solubility
- Targeted delivery
- Reduced toxicity
Applications:
- Cancer treatment
- Gene therapy
- Vaccine delivery

Definition: Sustained release involves the slow release of a drug over a prolonged period, often using a matrix or reservoir system
Types:
- Matrix systems (e.g. polymeric matrices)
- Reservoir systems (e.g. coated tablets)
- Implantable devices
Advantages:
- Reduced dosing frequency
- Improved patient compliance
- Increased drug efficacy
- Reduced side effects
Applications:
- Chronic disease management
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Pain management

Definition: Targeted delivery involves delivering drugs to specific cells, tissues, or organs in the body
Types:
- Active targeting (e.g. ligand-receptor interactions)
- Passive targeting (e.g. EPR effect)
- Physical targeting (e.g. ultrasound, heat)
Advantages:
- Improved efficacy
- Reduced toxicity
- Increased bioavailability
- Enhanced specificity
Applications:
- Cancer treatment
- Gene therapy
- Inflammatory disease treatment

Definition: Liposomes are vesicles composed of lipids, used to deliver drugs to specific sites in the body
Types:
- Conventional liposomes
- PEGylated liposomes
- Targeted liposomes
Advantages:
- Improved bioavailability
- Reduced toxicity
- Targeted delivery
- Enhanced efficacy
Applications:
- Cancer treatment
- Gene therapy
- Vaccine delivery

Definition: Bioconjugates are molecules composed of a drug and a targeting moiety (e.g. antibody, peptide)
Types:
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
- Peptide-drug conjugates
- Aptamer-drug conjugates
Advantages:
- Targeted delivery
- Improved efficacy
- Reduced toxicity
- Enhanced specificity
Applications:
- Cancer treatment
- Inflammatory disease treatment
- Infectious disease treatment

Definition: Gene therapy involves the delivery of genetic material to cells to treat diseases
Types:
- Viral vectors (e.g. adenovirus, AAV)
- Non-viral vectors (e.g. lipids, polymers)
- Gene editing technologies (e.g. CRISPR)
Advantages:
- Potential cure for genetic diseases
- Improved efficacy
- Reduced toxicity
- Enhanced specificity
Applications:
- Inherited diseases (e.g. sickle cell anemia)
- Cancer treatment
- Infectious disease treatment

Definition: Polymers are used as carriers for drug delivery, providing controlled release and targeting
Types:
- Biodegradable polymers (e.g. PLA, PGA)
- Non-biodegradable polymers (e.g. PMMA, PVA)
- Stimuli-responsive polymers
Advantages:
- Controlled release
- Targeted delivery
- Improved bioavailability
- Reduced toxicity
Applications:
- Sustained release systems
- Targeted delivery systems
- Implantable devices

Nanoparticles are 1-100 nm particles used for targeted drug delivery to specific body sites
Types of nanoparticles include lipid, polymeric, and inorganic nanoparticles
Advantages include enhanced bioavailability, improved solubility, targeted delivery, and reduced toxicity
Cancer treatment, gene therapy, and vaccine delivery are key applications

Sustained release involves slow drug release over a prolonged period using matrix or reservoir systems
Types of sustained release systems include matrix systems, reservoir systems, and implantable devices
Advantages include reduced dosing frequency, improved patient compliance, increased drug efficacy, and reduced side effects
Chronic disease management, hormone replacement therapy, and pain management are key applications

Targeted delivery involves delivering drugs to specific cells, tissues, or organs in the body
Types of targeted delivery include active, passive, and physical targeting
Advantages include improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, increased bioavailability, and enhanced specificity
Cancer treatment, gene therapy, and inflammatory disease treatment are key applications

Liposomes are lipid vesicles used for targeted drug delivery to specific body sites
Types of liposomes include conventional, PEGylated, and targeted liposomes
Advantages include improved bioavailability, reduced toxicity, targeted delivery, and enhanced efficacy
Cancer treatment, gene therapy, and vaccine delivery are key applications

Bioconjugates are molecules composed of a drug and a targeting moiety (e.g. antibody, peptide)
Types of bioconjugates include antibody-drug conjugates, peptide-drug conjugates, and aptamer-drug conjugates
Advantages include targeted delivery, improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, and enhanced specificity
Cancer treatment, inflammatory disease treatment, and infectious disease treatment are key applications

Gene therapy involves delivering genetic material to cells to treat diseases
Types of gene therapy delivery systems include viral vectors, non-viral vectors, and gene editing technologies
Advantages include potential cure for genetic diseases, improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, and enhanced specificity
Inherited diseases, cancer treatment, and infectious disease treatment are key applications

Polymers are used as carriers for drug delivery, providing controlled release and targeting
Types of polymers include biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and stimuli-responsive polymers
Advantages include controlled release, targeted delivery, improved bioavailability, and reduced toxicity
Sustained release systems, targeted delivery systems, and implantable devices are key applications