Therapeutic delivery
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This article provides a review of the critical in vitro assays utilized in transdermal drug development. In vitro assays such as percutaneous absorption testing and dissolution (drug release) testing are powerful tools for screening potential transdermal compounds and drug quality control, respectively. Several 2D single-cell cultures and 3D human skin equivalents are available for screening compounds with low irritation and sensitization potential. The role of each assay and its limitations and challenges will be further discussed below.
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Therapeutic delivery · Jan 2015
ReviewBuprenorphine: revisiting the efficacy of transdermal delivery system.
Buprenorphine is a lipid-soluble pharmaceutic used in the management of chronic pain. It is a partial agonist at μ-opioid receptors, an antagonist at κ-opioid receptors, an agonist at δ-opioid receptors and a partial agonist at ORL-1 (nociceptin) receptors. ⋯ Transdermal buprenorphine has significant potential for managing chronic pain. In addition to increased convenience and efficacy, advantages of transdermal buprenorphine include decreased tolerance and decreased withdrawal.
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Therapeutic delivery · Jan 2015
ReviewPromising approaches to circumvent the blood-brain barrier: progress, pitfalls and clinical prospects in brain cancer.
Brain drug delivery is a major challenge for therapy of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Biochemical modifications of drugs or drug nanocarriers, methods of local delivery, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption with focused ultrasound and microbubbles are promising approaches which enhance transport or bypass the BBB. These approaches are discussed in the context of brain cancer as an example in CNS drug development. ⋯ Local delivery methods enable high dose delivery while avoiding systemic exposure. BBB disruption with focused ultrasound and microbubbles offers local and noninvasive treatment. Clinical trials show the prospects of these technologies and point to challenges for the future.
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Therapeutic delivery · Oct 2014
ReviewPolymeric nano-micelles: versatile platform for targeted delivery in cancer.
Polymeric micelles are among the most promising delivery systems in nanomedicine. The growing interest in polymeric micelles as drug delivery vehicle is promoted by the advantages they offer for hydrophobic anticancer agents. ⋯ In addition, they can undergo several structural modifications to further augment tumor cell uptake. In this review, we will discuss various micellar systems that have been studied in preclinical and clinical settings.
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Therapeutic delivery · Apr 2013
ReviewRecent advancements in tissue engineering for stem cell-based cardiac therapies.
Advances in cardiac tissue engineering have recently focused on utilizing stem cells to regenerate infarcted and scarred myocardium. Due to their proliferative nature and tremendous potential for differentiation, stem cells are presently being investigated for clinical applications. Unfortunately, limiting factors such as massive cell death and poor retention have hampered clinical outcomes. ⋯ The use of innovative tissue engineering techniques has opened up new horizons within the field of cellular cardiomyoplasty. This paper will present a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in stem cell technology destined for myocardial tissue repair. In addition, the multidisciplinary approach to tissue engineering presented here will provide the reader with insight into the clinical realization of cellular cardiomyoplasty.