title: Drug delivery strategies for cathepsin inhibitors in joint diseases.
abstract: Cathepsins play important roles in the development of joint and bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Cathepsin inhibitors are presently in development and clinical testing for use as novel disease-modifying drugs for the improved treatment of osteoporosis. They may also be applicable for the treatment of joint diseases. However, some barriers still hamper their clinical applications in these indications. Based on pathophysiological features of RA and OA, the authors discuss six potential drug delivery strategies for the effective delivery of cathepsin inhibitors or other antiarthritic drugs to the arthritic joint tissue. Successful application of these strategies may significantly contribute to a more effective and safe treatment of RA and OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA. dwang@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brömme
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D003102:Colloids; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D003102:Colloids; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D011355:Prodrugs; D002403:Cathepsins