Biomaterial strategies for improved intra‐articular drug delivery

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint degenerative disease that has become one of the leading causes of disability in the world. It is estimated that OA affects 50 million adults in the United States. Currently, there are no FDA‐approved treatments that slow OA progression and its treatment is limited to pain management strategies and life style changes. Despite the discovery of several disease‐modifying OA drugs (DMOADs) and promising results in preclinical studies, their clinical translation has been significantly limited because of poor intra‐articular (IA) bioavailability and challenges in delivering these compounds to tissues of interest within the joint. Here, we review current OA treatments and their effectiveness at reducing joint pain, as well as novel targets for OA treatment and the challenges related to their clinical translation. Moreover, we discuss intra‐articular (IA) drug delivery as a promising route of administration, describe its inherent challenges, and review recent advances in biomaterial‐based IA drug delivery for OA treatment. Finally, we highlight the potential of tissue targeting in the development of effective IA drug delivery systems.

Osteoarthritis In Vitro Models: Applications and Implications in Development of Intra-Articular Drug Delivery Systems

“…Drug delivery systems with extended-release properties help circumvent these issues and others, like potential low aqueous solubility of many molecules. Comprehensive reviews on formulation aspects of IA DDSs have been published in recent years [26,28,30,31]. Table 1 shows the drug delivery systems investigated in the past five years to treat OA by IA administration.…”

Poly-phosphocholination of liposomes leads to highly-extended retention time in mice joints

“…Intra-articular (IA) delivery is another major area where extended retention of liposomal delivery-vehicles is crucial, particularly for the treatment of pathological joint conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA), a painful degenerative disease affecting millions, which is characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage. 18–21 Due to the localized nature of OA, IA drug injection is an attractive treatment approach for this disease, which minimizes overall systemic exposure to anti-arthritic drugs. 22 Meanwhile, a different approach concerning OA therapy deals with the cartilage mechanics either by injection of viscous supplements of hyaluronic acid, 23 where it is also thought to have lubricating properties, 24 or by liposome treatment as bio-lubricants.…”

Advances in biomaterials for the treatment of retinoblastoma

“…35–39 For instance, biomaterial strategies (implants, nanocarriers, and stimuli-responsive constructs, among others) were found promising in delivering a massive set of drugs\bioactive molecules ( e.g. , proteins, growth factors, cytokines, genetic materials, and chemotherapy, among others) for the treatment of diverse threatening diseases, 31,40–44 including retinoblastoma. 22,45,46…”