Colloidal drug carriers: achievements and perspectives.
Colloidal drug carriers such as liposomes and nanoparticles are able to modify the distribution of an associated substance. They can therefore be used to improve the therapeutic index of drugs by increasing their efficacy and/or reducing their toxicity. If these delivery systems are carefully designed with respect to the target and route of administration, they may provide one solution to some of the delivery problems posed by new classes of active molecules such as peptides, proteins, genes, and oligonucleotides. They may also extend the therapeutic potential of established drugs such as doxorubicin and amphotericin B. This article discusses the use of colloidal, particulate carrier systems (25 nm to 1 microm in diameter) in such applications. In particular, systems which show diminished uptake by mononuclear phagocytes are described. Specific targeting of carriers to particular tissues or cells is also considered.
Barratt
G
G
UMR CNRS 8612, Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie, Pharmacotechnie et Biopharmacie, Faculté de Pharmacie Université de Paris XI, 5, rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex, France. Gillian.Barratt@cep.u-psud.fr
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003102:Colloids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008863:Microspheres; D036103:Nanotechnology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D000666:Amphotericin B; D004317:Doxorubicin