title: Glycan-targeted drug delivery for intravesical therapy: in the footsteps of uropathogenic bacteria.
abstract: The human urothelium belongs to the most efficient biobarriers, and represents a highly rewarding but challenging target for local drug administration. Inadequate urothelial bioavailability is a major obstacle for successful treatment of bladder cancer and other diseases, yet little research has addressed the development of advanced delivery concepts for the intravesical route. A prominent example of how to overcome the urothelial barrier by means of specific biorecognition is the efficient cytoinvasion of UPEC bacteria, mediated by the mannose-targeted lectin domain FimH. Similar mechanisms of non-bacterial origin may be exploited for enhancing drug uptake from the bladder cavity. This review covers the current status in the development of lectin-based delivery strategies for the urinary tract. Different concepts for preparing and optimizing carbohydrate-targeted delivery systems are presented, along with important design parameters, benefits and shortcomings. Bioconjugate- and nano-/microparticle-based systems are discussed in further detail with regard to their performance in preclinical testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, A 1090 Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neutsch
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gabor
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004705:Endocytosis; D006801:Humans; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000378:metabolism*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides