title: Bacterial ghosts as a novel advanced targeting system for drug and DNA delivery.
abstract: Although there are powerful drugs against infectious diseases and cancer on the market, delivery systems are needed to decrease serious toxic and noncurative side effects. In order to enhance compliance, several delivery systems such as polymeric micro- and nanoparticles, liposomal systems and erythrocyte ghosts have been developed. Bacterial ghosts representing novel advanced delivery and targeting vehicles suitable for the delivery of hydrophobic or water-soluble drugs, are the main focus of this review. They are useful nonliving carriers, as they can carry different active substances in more than one cellular location separately and simultaneously. Bacterial ghosts combine excellent natural or engineered adhesion properties with versatile carrier functions for drugs, proteins and DNA plasmids or DNA minicircles. The simplicity of both bacterial ghost production and packaging of drugs and/or DNA makes them particularly suitable for the use as a delivery system. Further advantages of bacterial ghost delivery vehicles include high bioavailability and a long shelf life without the need of cold-chain storage due to the possibility to freeze-dry the material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, UZA II, 2B255, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paukner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stiedl
authors.forename: Pavol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kudela
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bizik
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al Laham
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lubitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010584:Bacteriophage phi X 174; D002462:Cell Membrane; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014612:Vaccines; D004247:DNA