title: Principles of transmucosal delivery of therapeutic agents.
abstract: Recent advances in medicine have led to new treatment options for patients and physicians as a more developed understanding of the molecular basis of disease states is translated into new therapeutic agents. Many of these new agents are compounds that are not able to reach the bloodstream when administered by the oral route preventing the ability to enjoy the benefits this delivery route provides such as lower cost and increased quality of life. Our laboratory has focused on the use of hydrogel carriers to increase the bioavailability of orally administered therapeutic agents ranging from proteins such as insulin to chemotherapeutics like bleomycin. The foundations of this research as well as recent advances are reviewed along with a discussion of the challenges of oral administration and other emerging strategies for oral administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kavimandan
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Peppas
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001682:Biological Availability; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D007328:Insulin; D011506:Proteins