Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
vivo); locate, attach or enter target tissue, structures or pathogens; and dispense
the ideal mass of matched biological compound to the target regions.
The application of nanotechnology for drug design and drug delivery to
selected targets for improved pharmacodynamics and kinetic profiles toward
safer and effective treatment is the area today that is known as nanopharma-
cology. 1 It encompasses proper drug engineering design, development, and
manufacture of the nanostructured drug or drug carrier for nanoscale molecular
targets, drug formulation, and drug release. Nanotechnology promises to revo-
lutionize the area of pharmacology owing to the unique size and properties of
nanomaterials (NMs). NMs hold promise in improving the curative abilities of
various conventional drugs. This chapter is dedicated to the applications of NMs
in nanopharmacology.
7.2 CURRENT ISSUES AND STATUS OF
NANOPHARMACOLOGY
Nanopharmacology is complicated by the need to establish the behavior of
nanoparticles (NPs) such as quantum dots (QDs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs),
gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IOMNPs),
and many more within the traditional pharmacological parameters of absorp-
tion, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME). Nanoconstructs, in many
cases, have limited metabolism and excretion and persist in biological systems,
which gains importance when containing toxic atoms such as cadmium. This
poses a need to carefully examine our common ADME parameters and revise
them if necessary.
Absorption into the host system is generally the first hurdle to be overcome
which is dependent on route of delivery (Figure 7.1). To date, research has estab-
lished that various NPs can enter an organism through skin absorption, inhala-
tion, oral delivery, and parenteral administration. For QDs, the most important
route of delivery at present appears to be systemic distribution through paren-
teral delivery, although occupational and environmental exposures via dermal
and inhalation routes are also possible. What few studies are available on QD
absorption at the organism level primarily utilize parenteral IV delivery. QD tar-
geting studies have shown that QDs with targeting functional groups can be accu-
mulated in selected target tissues upon IV administration. However, distribution
to non-target tissues in an organism has not been examined and is an area
where information is critically needed. Due to the high fluorescence of QDs
and the metallic cores, particle deposition within an organism should be readily
measurable.
During the past decade, there are more than 26 FDA approved anticancer
drugs for clinical use 2 on top of other therapeutic agents for various condi-
tions from cardiovascular disease to inflammation. 3 These conventional drugs
exhibit therapeutic potential but various limitations hinder clinical transla-
tion and success. These limitations include the physico-chemical properties
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