Nano-enabled delivery of diverse payloads across complex biological barriers

J Control Release. 2015 Dec 10:219:548-559. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.08.039. Epub 2015 Aug 24.

Abstract

Complex biological barriers are major obstacles for preventing and treating disease. Nanocarriers are designed to overcome such obstacles by enhancing drug delivery through physiochemical barriers and improving therapeutic indices. This review critically examines both biological barriers and nanocarrier payloads for a variety of drug delivery applications. A spectrum of nanocarriers is discussed that have been successfully developed for improving tissue penetration for preventing or treating a range of infectious, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases.

Keywords: Biological barriers; Blood–brain barrier; Drug delivery; Nanoparticle; Tumor microenvironment; Vector-borne disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animal Shells / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism

Substances

  • Drug Carriers