Exploiting the placenta for nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery during pregnancy

Christian G Figueroa-Espada; Samuel Hofbauer; Michael J Mitchell; Rachel S Riley

doi:10.1016/j.addr.2020.09.006

Exploiting the placenta for nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery during pregnancy

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2020:160:244-261. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.09.006. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

Authors

Christian G Figueroa-Espada¹, Samuel Hofbauer², Michael J Mitchell³, Rachel S Riley⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: cfig@seas.upenn.edu.
² Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: mjmitch@seas.upenn.edu.
⁴ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA. Electronic address: rileyr@rowan.edu.

PMID: 32956719
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.09.006

Abstract

A major challenge to treating diseases during pregnancy is that small molecule therapeutics are transported through the placenta and incur toxicities to the developing fetus. The placenta is responsible for providing nutrients, removing waste, and protecting the fetus from toxic substances. Thus, the placenta acts as a biological barrier between the mother and fetus that can be exploited for drug delivery. Nanoparticle technologies provide the opportunity for safe drug delivery during pregnancy by controlling how therapeutics interact with the placenta. In this Review, we present nanoparticle drug delivery technologies specifically designed to exploit the placenta as a biological barrier to treat maternal, placental, or fetal diseases exclusively, while minimizing off-target toxicities. Further, we discuss opportunities, challenges, and future directions for implementing drug delivery technologies during pregnancy.

Keywords: Active targeting; Drug delivery technologies; Nanoparticle; Placenta; Pre-eclampsia; Pregnancy.

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

Animals
Biological Transport
Cell Line
Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
Female
Humans
Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Placenta / metabolism*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
Prescription Drugs / administration & dosage*
Prescription Drugs / pharmacokinetics

Substances

Prescription Drugs

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding