Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026

PLGA Nanoparticles Formed by Single- or Double-emulsion with Vitamin E-TPGS
Published on: December 27, 2013
Pharmacokinetic Consequences of PLGA Nanoparticles in Docetaxel Drug Delivery
1College of Pharmacy & Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Room 3D01.1, D Wing Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5. Canada.
Background:
Cancer chemotherapy is accompanied with administration of highly potent cytotoxic agents in doses that can result in non-specific drug toxicity and side effects. Chemotherapeutic agents possess limitations such as lack of water solubility, high volume of distribution, poor bioavailability, narrow therapeutic indices, multi-drug resistance, etc. that raise serious matters of concern regarding drug's pharmaceutical and clinical aspects. However, application of nanoparticles in delivery of anti-cancer agents has been a popular approach to address these concerns. Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), a biocompatible/biodegradable FDA-approved polymer has been widely used as drug carrier to enhance pharmaceutical/therapeutic properties of anticancer agents, prolonging their circulation time, targeting cancer tissues or protecting the drug from rapid elimination/premature degradation. This favourably modifies drug's pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Objective:
This paper provides a general perspective on how association of docetaxel to PLGA nanoparticles potentially modifies pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profile of the anticancer agent.
Method:
A comprehensive literature search has been conducted and dedicated to compile most relevant and up-to-date material about pharmacokinetic consequences of PLGA nanoparticles in docetaxel drug delivery.
Results:
A set of determinants are considered to be influential on biodistribution and fate of docetaxel and PLGA nanoparticles. These are attributed to physicochemical properties of PLGA polymer, docetaxel, nanoparticle, and the set of events imposed to the nanoparticles by the host body.
Conclusion:
Association of PLGA nanoparticles and docetaxel has demonstrated to modify the drug's pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profile.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Distribution: Tissue Binding
For...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Tissue-Drug Binding: Localization of Drugs and its Significance
Drugs can bind to different tissue components, enhancing their distribution and localization. The factors influencing drug localization in tissues include the drug's lipophilicity, structural characteristics, tissue perfusion rate, and pH differences. These factors determine...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance
A study on guinea pigs examined the...
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Duration of Dose-Effect Relationship

