Development and Characterization of Drug Delivery Systems for Targeting Mammalian Cells and Tissues: A Review

Abstract

Recent advances in the development of diagnostics and therapeutics in the fields of recombinant biochemistry, solid phase peptide synthesis as well as in galenical research have resulted in highly specific and efficient components. Presently, millions of patients can profit from these new therapeutic modalities. The application of an effective anti-tumor dose of drugs can lead to marked toxicity in patients. Therefore, safe and efficient possibilities to transport these compounds to the target are of outmost importance. The importance of drug delivery is pivotal in the wide area of pharmacological research. However, until now, this issue is still to be solved. The main goal of every drug delivery system is the delivery of a precise amount of a drug at a pre-programmed rate to the desired location in order to achieve the necessary drug concentration in the targeted organ for effective treatment. The key problem still remains the achievement of curative doses in a pharmacologically active state in the desired target while avoiding side effects. Although respectable advances can be recognized in this field, the currently applied mechanisms for the transport of therapeutic molecules across biological membranes still remain far from being efficient. Helper molecules could improve delivery to desired target sites. Presently, a number of efforts are made and a huge spectrum of biochemical, biological, medical, pharmaceutical and physical possibilities are arising. However, the design and development of successful therapies based on this technology still remains a great challenge.

Targeted Drug Delivery to Hepatocarcinoma In vivo by Phage-Displayed Specific Binding Peptide

“…For this purpose, a small ligand that targets tumor tissues may greatly enhance both the precision of clinical diagnostics and the efficacy of drugs in cancertargeting therapy. Different avenues have been pursued to achieve this goal (21). Among them, phage display approaches have shown great potential for isolating antibodies or peptides that recognize specific target molecules, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (22), α v β 3 integrin (23,24), NF-κB (25), and p53 (26,27).…”

Photo-Cured Glycol Chitosan Hydrogel for Ovarian Cancer Drug Delivery

“…Therefore, intratumoral administrations of anticancer drugs have been considered as one of the most effective methods for cancer therapy due to its potential to load and release poorly soluble anticancer drugs; however, it has also caused serious side effects including rapid clearance of applied drugs from tumors and increased dose-limiting toxicity [11,12]. Hence, various drug delivery systems have been developed for parental and topical administrations [13,14,15]. Hydrogels have three-dimensional networks composed of hydrophilic polymeric networks that can contain various anticancer drugs [16].…”

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“…These chemical reaction products are able to overcome cellular membrane barriers during a safe and efficient transfer of therapeutic and / or diagnostics cargos into target cells and tissues. It is important to point out that this DAR inv technology is not restricted to application and easier handling of our developed BioShuttle delivery platform 67,163 and other related carrier molecules.…”