Microparticles and nanoparticles for drug delivery.
Particulate drug delivery systems have become important in experimental pharmaceutics and clinical medicine. The distinction is often made between micro- and nanoparticles, being particles with dimensions best described in micrometers and nanometers respectively. That size difference entails real differences at many levels, from formulation to in vivo usage. Here I will discuss those differences and provide examples of applications, for local and systemic drug delivery. I will outline a number of challenges of interest in particulate drug delivery.
Kohane
Daniel S
DS
Laboratory for Biomaterials and Drug Delivery, Bartlett Extension 413, Division of Critical Pediatric Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. dkohane@partners.org
D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D008863:Microspheres; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size