Drug delivery nanocarriers

Torchilin, V. P. (2006). Multifunctional nanocarriers. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Vol. 58, 14, (December 2006), pp. (1532-1555), ISSN 0169-409X Tran, V. T., Benoit, J. P. Venier-Julienne, M. C. (2011). Why and how to prepare biodegradable, monodispersed, polymeric microparticles in the field of pharmacy International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Vol. 407,1-2, (December 2011), pp. (1-11), ISSN 0378-5173... 

Fig. 30 Types of nanocarriers for drug delivery, (a) Polymeric nanoparticles polymeric nanoparticles in which drugs are conjugated to or encapsulated in polymers, (b) Polymeric micelles amphiphilic block copolymers that form nanosized core-shell structures in aqueous solution. The hydrophobic core region serves as a reservoir for hydrophobic drugs, whereas hydrophilic shell region stabilizes the hydrophobic core and renders the polymer water-soluble.

The same group reported the simultaneous radiolabeling (with DOTA-anchored 4Cu) and fluorescence studies, coupled with biodistribution in vivo and in vitro (92). It is believed that appropriately functionalized SWNTs can efficiently reach tumor tissues in mice with no apparent toxicity (159). Furthermore, water-solubilised carbon nanotubes are nontoxic when taken up by cells even in high concentration (92). These studies have been complemented by the recent PET imaging of water-soluble 86Y labelled carbon nanotubes in vivo (mice) (160,161), to explore the potential usefulness of carbon nanocarriers as scaffolds for drug delivery. The tissue biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of model DOTA functionalized nanotubes have been explored in vivo (mouse model). MicroPET images indicated accumulation of activity mainly in the kidney, liver, spleen, and to a much less... 

An attractive strategy to improve CNS drug delivery is to link a nontransportable drug with a vector to the BBB. These moieties can work as molecular Trojan horses to transport across the BBB attached proteins, DNA molecules, and drug micro- and nanocarriers facilitating their penetration through the BBB. The choice of a vector moiety and a type of a linker is crucial for the success of this method of drug delivery. 

Sawant, R. M., Hurley, J. P., Salmaso, S., Kale, A., Tolcheva, E., Levchenko, T. S., and Torchilin, V. P. (2006), SMART drug delivery systems Double-targeted pH-responsive. Pharmaceutical nanocarriers, Bioconjugate Chem., 17, 943-949. 

List types of nanocarriers for drug delivery. Describe their stiiicture, principal differences, advantages and limitations. 

What size of polymer nanocarriers is the most appropriate for drug delivery ... 

Figure 47.1. Types of nanocarriers for drug delivery. A liposomes B nanoparticles C nanospheres D nanosuspensions E polymer micelles F nanogel G block ionomer complexes H nanofibers and nanombes.

Sawant RM, Hurley JP, Saknaso S, Kale AA, Tolcheva E, Levchenko T, TorchUin VP (2006) Smart drug delivery systems double-targeted pH-responsive pharmaceutical nanocarriers. Bioconjugate Chem 17 943-949... 

Dufresne MH, Le Garrec D, Sant V, et al. Preparation and characterization of water-soluble pH-sensitive nanocarriers for drug delivery. Int J Pharm 2004 277 81-90. 

This section highlights advances in the use of polymer-based carriers in drug delivery. It shows how utilisation of polymers in a smart fashion could result in multiple responses at the desired point of action. The criteria and manufacturing requirements of a polymer-based nanocarrier are described in detail. Progress and innovations in drug-delivery technologies are also recounted. 

Torchilin, V.P., 2006. Multifunctional nanocarriers. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 58, 1532-1555. 

Batrakova, E.V. and Kabanov, A.V. Pluronic block copolymers Evolution of drug delivery concept from inert nanocarriers to biological response modifiers. Journal of Controlled Release 130 (2008) 98-106. 

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