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Published on: November 7, 2013
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Nanotechnology for protein delivery: Overview and perspectives
Mikyung Yu1, Jun Wu1, Jinjun Shi1
1Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Biomaterials, Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Summary
Effective protein delivery systems are crucial for enhancing therapeutic protein efficacy and overcoming stability and delivery challenges. Nanotechnology offers advanced solutions for systemic and non-invasive protein administration.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Protein therapeutics offer significant clinical benefits but face challenges including poor stability, immunogenicity, and inefficient delivery to intracellular targets.
- Limitations include enzymatic degradation, restricted membrane permeability, and endosomal entrapment, hindering therapeutic potential.
- Effective protein delivery strategies are essential for maximizing the benefits of protein-based drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current protein delivery strategies for therapeutic proteins.
- To provide an overview of recent advancements in nanotechnology for systemic protein delivery.
- To highlight non-invasive administration approaches using nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Review of marketed and developmental protein delivery strategies.
- Focused analysis of nanotechnology platforms for systemic delivery.
- Discussion of nanoparticle-mediated non-invasive administration routes (oral, nasal, pulmonary, transdermal).
Main Results:
- Nanotechnology platforms show promise for overcoming protein instability and delivery barriers.
- Non-invasive administration routes are being advanced using nanoparticle-mediated delivery.
- Various strategies exist with distinct advantages and limitations.
Conclusions:
- Advanced protein delivery systems, particularly nanotechnology, are vital for improving therapeutic outcomes.
- Nanoparticle-based strategies offer potential for enhanced systemic and non-invasive delivery of protein therapeutics.
- Further development in protein delivery is key to expanding the medical applications of protein-based drugs.
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