Nanoparticle-based drug delivery to the vagina: a review.
Vaginal drug administration can improve prophylaxis and treatment of many conditions affecting the female reproductive tract, including sexually transmitted diseases, fungal and bacterial infections, and cancer. However, achieving sustained local drug concentrations in the vagina can be challenging, due to the high permeability of the vaginal epithelium and expulsion of conventional soluble drug dosage forms. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms have received considerable attention for vaginal drug delivery, as nanoparticles can provide sustained release, cellular targeting, and even intrinsic antimicrobial or adjuvant properties that can improve the potency and/or efficacy of prophylactic and therapeutic modalities. Here, we review the use of polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, and inorganic nanoparticles for vaginal drug delivery. Although most of the work toward nanoparticle-based drug delivery in the vagina has been focused on HIV prevention, strategies for treatment and prevention of other sexually transmitted infections, treatment for reproductive tract cancer, and treatment of fungal and bacterial infections are also highlighted.
Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N. Broadway, Baltimore 21231, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N. Broadway, Baltimore 21231, USA. Electronic address: lensign@jhmi.edu.
Laura M
LM
Ensign
Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N. Broadway, Baltimore 21231, USA; Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore 21218, USA.
Richard
R
Cone
Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N. Broadway, Baltimore 21231, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N. Broadway, Baltimore 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore 21205, USA; Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore 21218, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore 21287, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore 21287, USA.
Justin
J
Hanes
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D011108:Polymers
Cervical cancer; HIV PrEP; Microbicides; Mucosal vaccines; Sexually transmitted infections