title: Nanocarrier fabrication and macromolecule drug delivery: challenges and opportunities.
abstract: Macromolecules (proteins/peptides) have the potential for the development of new therapeutics. Due to their specific mechanism of action, macromolecules can be administered at relatively low doses compared with small-molecule drugs. Unfortunately, the therapeutic potential and clinical application of macromolecules is hampered by various obstacles including their large size, short in vivo half-life, phagocytic clearance, poor membrane permeability and structural instability. These challenges have encouraged researchers to develop novel strategies for effective delivery of macromolecules. In this review, various routes of macromolecule administration (invasive/noninvasive) are discussed. The advantages/limitations of novel delivery systems and the potential role of nanotechnology for the delivery of macromolecules are elaborated. In addition, fabrication approaches to make nanoformulations in different shapes and sizes are also summarized.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, HSB 5258, 2464 Charlotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Vibhuti
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Agrahari
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, HSB 5258, 2464 Charlotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Agrahari
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, HSB 5258, 2464 Charlotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Ashim K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mitra
mesh_terms: D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D008081:Liposomes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins
keywords: biologics; drug delivery; invasive route; macromolecule stability; nanotechnology; noninvasive route; peptide; protein