Protein drug oral delivery: the recent progress

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Protein and peptide drugs offer therapeutic potential but face bioavailability issues with traditional administration.
• Parenteral injections are common but lead to compliance problems and require periodic administration.
• Oral delivery of protein drugs is highly desirable but significantly challenged by gastrointestinal barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel approaches for oral protein drug delivery.
• To summarize factors influencing oral protein absorption.
• To highlight advancements in overcoming challenges in oral protein formulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on innovative oral drug delivery systems for proteins.
• Analysis of barriers to oral protein absorption, including enzymatic degradation and mucosal impermeability.
• Discussion of emerging strategies such as vesicle entrapment and paracellular pathway passage.

Main Results:

• Despite challenges, advancements in drug delivery are emerging for oral protein formulations.
• Novel approaches show promise in enhancing protein stability and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Understanding compound-specific characteristics is crucial for successful oral formulation development.

Conclusions:

• Oral delivery of protein drugs remains a significant challenge due to physiological and chemical barriers.
• Innovative strategies are being developed to improve oral bioavailability and patient compliance.
• Future success in oral protein delivery will likely depend on highly specific, compound-tailored approaches.