Microfluidics: a focus on improved cancer targeted drug delivery systems.
Pharmaceutical science aims to localize the pharmacological activity of the drug at the site of action. Targeted drug delivery systems can directly deliver the payload to the desired site of action without undesired interaction with normal cells. This is especially important for anticancer drugs to avoid side effects and improve therapeutic response and patient compliance. Number of targeted drug delivery systems for anticancer drugs are in market and many more are in research phase. Most of the methods so far used suffer from poor drug loading, variation in composition, attachment of targeting ligands to carriers, and in vivo and in vitro cellular uptake in cancer cell. Recently microfluidic techniques are gaining attention from researchers and formulation scientists due to the ability of having a better control over the above said parameters not to mention saving cost, material, time and the possibility offered to synthesize different system morphologies from nano to microscale. This article reviews the recent advances in the design of various targeted systems obtained through microfluidics and to some extent addresses challenges and hurdles faced during cancer cell treatment.
Laboratory of Design and Application of Bioactive Molecules (CAMB), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg (UdS), Strasbourg, France; Group for the Intensification and Integration of Polymer Processes (G2IP), Institute of Chemistry and Processes for Energy, Environment and Health (ICPEES-UMR 7515 CNRS), European Engineering School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials Science (ECPM), University of Strasbourg (UdS), CNRS UMR 7515, Strasbourg, France; College of Pharmacy, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Electronic address: ikramglt@gmail.com.
Ikram Ullah
IU
Khan
Christophe A
CA
Serra
Nicolas
N
Anton
Thierry
T
Vandamme
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers
Active and passive targeting; Cancer therapy; Microchannel; Microfluidics; Nanocarriers; Targeted drug delivery