Biomimetic cellular vectors for enhancing drug delivery to the lungs
Michael Evangelopoulos1, Iman K Yazdi1, Stefania Acciardo1,2
1Center for Biomimetic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
Despite recent advances in drug delivery, the targeted treatment of unhealthy cells or tissues continues to remain a priority. In cancer (much like other pathologies), delivery vectors are designed to exploit physical and biological features of unhealthy tissues that are not always homogenous across the disease. In some cases, shifting the target from unhealthy tissues to the whole organ can represent an advantage. Specifically, the natural organ-specific retention of nanotherapeutics following intravenous administration as seen in the lung, liver, and spleen can be strategically exploited to enhance drug delivery. Herein, we outline the development of a cell-based delivery system using macrophages as a delivery vehicle. When loaded with a chemotherapeutic payload (i.e., doxorubicin), these cellular vectors (CELVEC) were shown to provide continued release within the lung. This study provides proof-of-concept evidence of an alternative class of biomimetic delivery vectors that capitalize on cell size to provide therapeutic advantages for pulmonary treatments.
Insights
Macrophages loaded with chemotherapy drugs offer a novel approach for lung cancer treatment. This cell-based drug delivery system, CELVEC, exploits natural cell size for targeted pulmonary drug release.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Targeted drug delivery remains a challenge in treating diseases like cancer.
- Current delivery vectors often target heterogeneous unhealthy tissues.
- Organ-specific retention of nanotherapeutics presents an opportunity for enhanced drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cell-based delivery system utilizing macrophages as drug carriers.
- To investigate the potential of these cellular vectors (CELVEC) for pulmonary drug delivery.
- To demonstrate proof-of-concept for biomimetic delivery vectors exploiting cell size.
Main Methods:
- Development of macrophage-based cellular vectors (CELVEC).
- Loading CELVEC with a chemotherapeutic payload (doxorubicin).
- Evaluation of drug release and therapeutic advantage in pulmonary treatments.
Main Results:
- CELVEC demonstrated sustained release of doxorubicin within the lung.
- The cell-based system showed potential for enhanced pulmonary drug delivery.
- Biomimetic vectors capitalized on cell size for therapeutic benefits.
Conclusions:
- Cellular vectors (CELVEC) represent a promising alternative for targeted pulmonary drug delivery.
- Exploiting natural organ-specific retention and cell size can overcome limitations of traditional vectors.
- This approach offers a novel strategy for treating lung pathologies.
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