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From Composition to Cure: A Systems Engineering Approach to Anticancer Drug Carriers

Sarah R MacEwan1,2,3, Ashutosh Chilkoti1,2

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, P.O. Box 90281, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|December 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Developing novel drug delivery systems for cancer therapy is crucial. A systems engineering approach is needed to overcome challenges in drug carrier design and clinical translation for solid tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

  • Cancer's molecular complexity presents a significant challenge for developing cures.
  • Current pharmaceutical efforts primarily focus on new drug development, neglecting drug delivery optimization.
  • Systemic delivery of drug carriers to solid tumors faces pathophysiological barriers and translational hurdles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a systems engineering approach for designing optimized drug carriers.
  • To address the challenges in drug delivery for solid tumors.
  • To facilitate the translation of drug carriers from preclinical to clinical settings.

Main Methods:

  • A systems engineering framework for rational drug carrier design.
  • Analysis of pathophysiological barriers in solid tumor drug delivery.
  • Evaluation of translational challenges from laboratory to patient.

Main Results:

  • Identified key challenges in drug carrier delivery to solid tumors.
  • Highlighted the need for a holistic approach to carrier design.
  • Emphasized the importance of considering translational factors early in development.

Conclusions:

  • A systems engineering approach is essential for overcoming drug delivery challenges in cancer therapy.
  • Rational design of drug carriers can improve therapeutic efficacy for solid tumors.
  • Bridging the gap between preclinical research and clinical application requires a focused strategy.
Keywords:
antitumor drugscancerdrug deliverynanoparticles

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