Polymeric carriers: Role of geometry in drug delivery

Eric A. Simone, Thomas D. Dziubla, Vladimir R. Muzykantov

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

183 Scopus citations

Abstract

The unique properties of synthetic nanostructures promise a diverse set of applications as carriers for drug delivery, which are advantageous in terms of biocompatibility, pharmacokinetics, targeting and controlled drug release. Historically, more traditional drug delivery systems have focused on spherical carriers. However, there is a growing interest in pursuing non-spherical carriers, such as elongated or filamentous morphologies, now available due to novel formulation strategies. Unique physiochemical properties of these supramolecular structures offer distinct advantages as drug delivery systems. In particular, results of recent studies in cell cultures and lab animals indicate that rational design of carriers of a given geometry (size and shape) offers an unprecedented control of their longevity in circulation and targeting to selected cellular and subcellular locations. This article reviews drug delivery aspects of non-spherical drug delivery systems, including material selection and formulation, drug loading and release, biocompatibility, circulation behavior, targeting and subcellular addressing.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1283-1300
Number of pages18
JournalExpert Opinion on Drug Delivery
Volume5
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

Keywords

  • Formulation
  • Geometry
  • Micelle
  • Nano
  • Polymer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

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