Preclinical models for pulmonary drug delivery.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Preclinical Research

Background:

• The lung is a significant route for both topical and systemic drug administration.
• Numerous models have been developed to assess pulmonary drug delivery efficacy and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and describe drug delivery models for preclinical evaluation of inhaled pharmaceutical products.
• To discuss the suitability and limitations of various preclinical models.

Main Methods:

• Review of epithelial cell culture models.
• Analysis of the isolated perfused lung model.
• Evaluation of in vivo animal models.
• Focus on publications from the last decade.

Main Results:

• Cell cultures are effective for comparing molecular transport rates and mechanisms.
• The isolated perfused lung offers a more complex biological system.
• In vivo models provide the most complete assessment of pulmonary drug delivery.

Conclusions:

• Epithelial cell cultures are valuable for mechanistic studies of drug transport.
• In vivo animal models are essential for a comprehensive evaluation of pulmonary drug delivery efficacy and safety.