title: Gemcitabine-loaded innovative nanocarriers vs GEMZAR: biodistribution, pharmacokinetic features and in vivo antitumor activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gemcitabine, an anticancer drug, is a nucleoside analog deoxycytidine antimetabolite, which acts against a wide range of solid tumors. The limitation of gemcitabine is its rapid inactivation by the deoxycytidine deaminase enzyme following its in vivo administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  One of the most promising new approaches for improving the biopharmaceutical properties of gemcitabine is the use of innovative drug delivery devices. This review explains the current status of gemcitabine drug delivery, which has been under development over the past 5 years, with particular emphasis on liposomal delivery. In addition, the use of novel supramolecular vesicular aggregates (SVAs), polymeric nanoparticles and squalenoylation were treated as interesting innovative approaches for the administration of the nucleoside analog.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different colloidal systems containing gemcitabine have been realized, with the aim of providing important potential advancements through traditional ways of therapy. A possible future commercialization of modified gemcitabine is desirable, as was true in the case of liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil(®), Caely(®)).
authors.affiliation: The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Department of Nanomedicine, 6670 Bertner St, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Celia
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosco
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paolino
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fresta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013185:Squalene / Q000737:chemistry; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D011108:Polymers; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D013185:Squalene; D000093542:Gemcitabine