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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Heterotopic Mucosal Engrafting Procedure for Direct Drug Delivery to the Brain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
Principles of transmucosal delivery of therapeutic agents
James Blanchette1, Nikhil Kavimandan, Nicholas A Peppas
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract:
Recent advances in medicine have led to new treatment options for patients and physicians as a more developed understanding of the molecular basis of disease states is translated into new therapeutic agents. Many of these new agents are compounds that are not able to reach the bloodstream when administered by the oral route preventing the ability to enjoy the benefits this delivery route provides such as lower cost and increased quality of life. Our laboratory has focused on the use of hydrogel carriers to increase the bioavailability of orally administered therapeutic agents ranging from proteins such as insulin to chemotherapeutics like bleomycin. The foundations of this research as well as recent advances are reviewed along with a discussion of the challenges of oral administration and other emerging strategies for oral administration.
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