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Exogenous surfactant as a drug delivery agent
J J Haitsma1, U Lachmann, B Lachmann
1Department of Anesthesiology (Room EE 2393), Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|April 20, 2001
Summary
Pulmonary surfactant, a lung lipid-protein mixture, shows promise as a therapeutic carrier. Its unique properties can enhance drug delivery to the lungs, potentially improving treatment for lung injury and pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary medicine
- Biomaterials science
Background:
- Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins.
- It possesses unique spreading and dynamic surface tension properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale for using exogenous surfactant as a therapeutic carrier in lung injury.
- To explore surfactant's potential in delivering antimicrobial agents, especially for pneumonia.
- To discuss other potential applications of surfactant as a drug delivery vehicle.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pulmonary surfactant and its applications.
- Analysis of surfactant's physicochemical properties relevant to drug delivery.
- Discussion of potential benefits and challenges of surfactant-based therapies.
Main Results:
- Surfactant's properties enable high local therapeutic levels in the lungs.
- It can improve the delivery of other therapeutic agents to inaccessible lung regions.
- Combination therapy with antimicrobial agents shows potential for pneumonia treatment.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous surfactant offers a promising carrier system for lung-targeted therapies.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to validate surfactant's benefits in lung injury and other conditions.
- Careful evaluation of drug interactions, particularly with antibiotics, is necessary.