Targeted drug delivery enhances therapeutic efficacy by directing medications to specific cells or tissues, minimizing side effects compared to traditional systemic administration.
Key Concepts
Selective Targeting: Directing drugs specifically to disease sites (e.g., tumors, inflamed tissues).
Controlled Release: Sustaining drug release at the target site over time.
Reduced Systemic Exposure: Limiting drug interaction with non-target tissues to minimize adverse effects.
Approaches to Targeted Drug Delivery
Passive Targeting: Exploits physiological differences in diseased tissues (e.g., Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect in tumors).
Active Targeting: Modifies drug carriers with ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides) to bind specific receptors on target cells.
Stimuli-Responsive Systems: Activates drug release in response to local triggers like pH, temperature, or enzymes.
Physical Targeting: Uses external forces (e.g., magnetic fields, ultrasound) to guide drug carriers to specific sites.
Advantages of Targeted Drug Delivery
1Increased Efficacy: Higher drug concentrations at the target site enhances therapeutic outcomes.
Reduced Side Effects: Minimizes drug exposure to non-target tissues, lowering adverse effects.
Improved Patient Compliance: Enables lower dosages and less frequent administration.
Enhanced Stability: Protects drugs from degradation before reaching the target.
Controlled Release: Maintains therapeutic levels over extended periods.
Disadvantages of Targeted Drug Delivery
Complex Design: Requires intricate engineering and biological insights.
High Cost: Expensive production increases treatment costs.
Immunogenicity Risk: Certain ligands or carriers may trigger immune responses.
Limited Penetration: Challenges in reaching deep tissues or solid tumors.
Regulatory Barriers: Novel systems face stringent approval processes.