title: Drug-eluting nasal implants: formulation, characterization, clinical applications and challenges.
abstract: Chronic inflammation and infection of the nasal sinuses, also referred to as Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS), severely affects patients' quality of life. Adhesions, ostial stenosis, infection and inflammation relapses complicate chronic sinusitis treatment strategies. Drug-eluting stents, packings or implants have been suggested as reasonable alternatives for addressing these concerns. This article reviewed potential drug candidates for nasal implants, formulation methods/optimization and characterization methods. Clinical applications and important considerations were also addressed. Clinically-approved implants (Propel™ implant, the Relieva stratus™ MicroFlow spacer, and the Sinu-Foam™ spacer) for CRS treatment was an important focus. The advantages and limitations, as well as future considerations, challenges and the need for additional research in the field of nasal drug implant development, were discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Lab, College of Pharmacy, 5968 College Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. AN347441@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Ankit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.affiliation: Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Lab, College of Pharmacy, 5968 College Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. U.Anand@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Utkarshini
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.affiliation: Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Lab, College of Pharmacy, 5968 College Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. ugwumcc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Malachy C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.affiliation: Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Lab, College of Pharmacy, 5968 College Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. tiam.feridooni@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tiam
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Feridooni
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Health Sciences Centre, 1278 Tower Road, Halifax, NS B3H 2Y9, Canada. Emad.massoud@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Massoud
authors.affiliation: Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Lab, College of Pharmacy, 5968 College Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. Remigius.agu@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Remigius U
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Agu