Expert opinion on drug delivery最新文献

Introduction: Dextrins are biodegradable, highly soluble, natural derivatives of starch, which occur in two main forms, either as linear polymers or as cyclic oligosaccharides, commonly known as cyclodextrins. The two structures present favorable features to be exploited in the development of drug delivery systems.

Areas covered: This review explores dextrin- and cyclodextrin-based polymeric systems as innovative platforms for drug delivery in the treatment of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and lethal brain tumors. Despite advances in oncology, glioblastoma remains largely incurable due to the absence of effective therapeutic protocols. Consequently, novel strategies are being investigated, including both local and systemic administration of chemotherapeutic and targeted agents. Cyclodextrins, in particular, show promise as drug carriers owing to their ability to interact with the blood - brain barrier and enhance drug permeation. We summarize key preclinical studies employing cyclodextrin-based systems to deliver diverse anticancer agents, including cytotoxic drugs, immunotherapies, oligonucleotides, and antioxidants. Special emphasis is placed on unmet clinical needs, the challenges of experimental models, and the advantages offered by cyclodextrin formulations in glioblastoma therapy.

Expert opinion: Albeit far from clinical application, cyclodextrin-based polymers hold a strong potential as innovative treatment against glioblastoma.

Introduction: Vocal fold (VF) scarring poses a significant challenge. It is characterized by prolonged and often irreversible impairment of vocal function due to loss of pliability and disruption of the lamina propria's native extracellular matrix. Current treatments remain largely palliative, aiming to improve glottic closure rather than restore normal tissue biomechanics. As research deepens into the wound healing pathways and fibrotic mechanisms underlying scar formation, injectable therapies are emerging as approaches to modulate healing and restore vibratory function.

Areas covered: This review outlines the pathophysiology of VF scarring and evaluates emerging injectable strategies designed to restore tissue architecture and function. These include biomaterial-based implants, antifibrotic and pro-regenerative biologics, stem cell therapies, and advanced drug delivery systems. The translational challenges include anatomical constraints, delivery precision, animal models, immune compatibility, degradation kinetics, and the lack of standardized outcome measures.

Expert opinion: The review highlights the ongoing research on injections of implants for VF scarring that support biomechanical properties and modulate local tissue repair. However, further advanced and long-term studies, including clinical trials, are needed to fully elucidate their safety, efficacy, and toxicity profiles. In addition, their scalability and reproducibility within pharmaceutical manufacturing must be rigorously validated to support clinical translation.

Introduction: Recent advances in nanoformulations are reshaping the treatment landscape for helminthiasis by addressing critical challenges such as drug resistance, poor bioavailability, and off-target effects.

Areas covered: This review examines current innovations in nanotechnology applied to anthelmintic therapy, with a particular focus on lipid- and polymer-based systems designed to enhance drug solubility, stability, and targeted delivery. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify recent developments, highlight preclinical and translational studies, and evaluate the performance of solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems. Relevant articles were retrieved from peer-reviewed journals indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications up to June 2025.

Expert opinion: The integration of nanotechnologies into helminthiasis treatment offers promising therapeutic advantages but faces important challenges related to industrial scalability, regulatory approval, and implementation in low-resource settings. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts between academia, industry, and public health stakeholders. The review outlines key considerations for technology transfer and commercialization, underscoring the importance of cost-effectiveness, patient acceptability, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the successful translation of nanomedicine-based solutions for neglected tropical diseases.

Introduction: Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are key mediators in different pathophysiological conditions, provide a unique opportunity for achieving targeted drug delivery. As such, ROS-responsive liposomes that undergo variable structural changes have emerged as promising tools for drug delivery purposes. These approaches show strong prospects for enhancing the selectivity of delivery to diseased cells through nanoparticle activation by aberrant ROS concentrations.

Area covered: This review describes elegant strategies for engineering ROS-responsive liposomes through lipid switch oxidation. These platforms exhibit improvements, including ROS-triggered release of encapsulated cargo, detachment of medicinal agents through prodrug strategies, programmed activation of cellular delivery, and photodynamic therapies. We describe how lipid switch design features can be leveraged to achieve these varying applications.

Expert opinion: ROS-responsive liposomes provide an adaptable approach for targeted therapy in environments associated with higher oxidative stress. We discuss how the attributes of each platform position these systems for overcoming practical issues, including stability, scalability, and clinical efficacy, as well as strategies for maximizing properties through continued innovation. In general, ROS-responsive liposome stability must be carefully tuned to be sufficiently stable to survive circulation but become activated within a window of ROS concentration that differentiates between diseased and healthy cells.

Introduction: The potential of nanomedicine in alleviating different disorders is immense, but its clinical translation rate is severely debilitated, despite promising preclinical study outcomes. For therapeutically successful targeted delivery of nanomedicines, it is crucial to understand why well-designed nanomedicines often fail during clinical trials.

Areas covered: This review comprehensively explores the multifactorial reasons behind the poor clinical success rate of nanomedicines, including pathophysiological complexity, limitations in statistical analysis, inadequate animal models, variability in the EPR effect, and manufacturing challenges. Special focus is placed on the misinterpretation and misuse of statistical tools in preclinical studies, which significantly reduces data interpretation and clinical predictability. The review is based on an in-depth literature survey of recent advances and failures in nanomedicine translation, with an emphasis on incorporating simulation models and synthesized data to overcome the challenges of statistics.

Expert opinion: Addressing translational gaps requires a multidisciplinary approach, refined preclinical models, robust statistical frameworks, and adaptive clinical designs that are essential. Innovative tools, such as CTGAN and personalized trial strategies, can bridge the preclinical-clinical divide. To realize the full potential of nanomedicine, it is crucial to resolve foundational issues in experimental design, data interpretation, analytical frameworks, and regulatory compliance.