Advanced Drug Delivery Systems: Nanoparticles

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

Sustained Release

• 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

Targeted Delivery

• 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

Liposomes

• 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

Bioconjugates

• 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

Delivery Systems for Gene Therapy

• 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

Polymers for Drug Delivery

• 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

Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Nanoparticles

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Delivery Systems for Gene Therapy

• 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 for Drug Delivery

• 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