Expert opinion on drug delivery
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Expert Opin Drug Deliv · Dec 2009
ReviewStrategies for the targeted delivery of therapeutics for osteosarcoma.
Conventional therapy for osteosarcoma has reached a plateau of 60 - 70%, a 5-year survival rate that has changed little in two decades, highlighting the need for new approaches. ⋯ Intra-arterial chemotherapy has a limited impact on survival, but may help to achieve a better limb salvage. Intrapleural chemotherapy is important for managing malignant effusions. The development of inhalation therapies, treatments that target new bone formation such as bisphosphonates, chemically targeted radiation and antibody-based therapies all have potential to improve osteosarcoma therapy.
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Expert Opin Drug Deliv · Oct 2009
ReviewNew strategies to deliver anticancer drugs to brain tumors.
Malignant brain tumors are among the most challenging to treat and at present there are no uniformly successful treatment strategies. Standard treatment regimens consist of maximal surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The limited survival advantage attributed to chemotherapy is partially due to low CNS penetration of antineoplastic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). ⋯ Analysis of the available data indicates that new approaches may be useful for CNS delivery, yet an appreciation of pharmacokinetic issues and improved knowledge of tumor biology will be needed to affect significantly drug delivery to the target site.
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Preventative vaccination is the most effective way to control epidemic and, perhaps, pandemic influenza viral infections. However, the immunogenicity and efficacy of influenza vaccines against epidemic strains are suboptimal among older adults. The risk of serious complications from influenza viral infection is compounded by co-morbid conditions among older adults. Furthermore, despite annual influenza vaccination campaigns, the vaccination rates in high risk populations range from 60.5 - 79.2% only [1] . In addition, H5N1 avian influenza viruses have the potential to cause a pandemic. However, H5N1 vaccines currently licensed in the US are poorly immunogenic in high doses in the absence of an adjuvant even in healthy adults. ⋯ Improving the immunogenicity of vaccines against avian influenza viruses, as well as aggressive programs to vaccinate high risk populations against seasonal and pandemic influenza, are crucial for our public health efforts in minimizing the impact of influenza epidemics or pandemics.
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Expert Opin Drug Deliv · Jul 2007
ReviewThe emerging role of molecular imaging and targeted therapeutics in peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a common and often fatal late-stage complication of many gastrointestinal and gynecologic malignancies. This review discusses the ongoing evolution of diagnostic and treatment strategies for peritoneal carcinomatosis and the role that molecular imaging and radioimmunotherapy may play in improving patient survival. An overview of recent developments in targeted imaging and therapeutics for peritoneal carcinomatosis, as well as the authors' opinions as to future developments in this field is also provided.
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Expert Opin Drug Deliv · Jul 2006
ReviewExtended-release opioids for the management of chronic non-malignant pain.
Recent clinical trials have documented the use of extended-release (ER) opioids in the management of chronic non-malignant pain. This manuscript reviews the clinical pharmacology of investigational and current marketed ER opioids. ⋯ Finally, the abuse liability of ER opioids is discussed. Current technologies aimed at defeating the abuse of ER opioids will also be presented.