Absorption enhancement by lectin-mediated endo- and transcytosis

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Advancements in gene technology and biotechnology yield novel biopharmaceuticals (peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, gene vectors).
• Conventional small molecule drugs differ significantly from biopharmaceuticals in size, solubility, and structure, posing delivery challenges.
• Parenteral injections are effective but invasive, necessitating safer and more convenient administration routes for biopharmaceuticals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore bioadhesive drug delivery systems as a solution for effective biopharmaceutical administration.
• To address the limitations of slow transport and short residence time of biopharmaceuticals across biological barriers.
• To investigate novel strategies for enhancing the absorption of large, delicate biologically active compounds.

Main Methods:

• Review of bioadhesive drug delivery systems, including mucoadhesive polymers.
• Exploration of lectin-based systems for specific binding to epithelial cell receptors.
• Analysis of physicochemical mechanisms (e.g., hydrogen bonding, swelling) and specific binding interactions.

Main Results:

• Bioadhesive systems can control and prolong drug residence time at absorption sites.
• These systems can increase the transport rate of compounds across biological barriers.
• Lectin-based systems show potential for targeted delivery via specific receptor binding.

Conclusions:

• Bioadhesive drug delivery systems, particularly those utilizing lectins, present a viable strategy for improving biopharmaceutical efficacy.
• These systems offer a promising alternative to parenteral administration for complex biological drugs.
• Further research into lectin-mediated delivery could revolutionize the treatment of diseases with novel biotherapeutics.