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Targeted, Site-Specific, Delivery Vehicles of Therapeutics for COVID-19 Patients. Brief Review
Nicholas Kipshidze1, Patrick Iversen2, Thomas R Porter3
1NY Cardiovascular Research, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Definitive pharmacological therapies for COVID-19 have yet to be identified. Several hundred trials are ongoing globally in the hope of a solution. However, nearly all treatments rely on systemic delivery but COVID-19 damages the lungs preferentially. The use of a targeted delivery approach is reviewed where engineered products are able to reach damaged lung tissue directly, which includes catheter-based and aerosol-based approaches. In this review we have outlined various target directed approaches which include microbubbles, extracellular vesicles including exosomes, adenosine nanoparticles, novel bio-objects, direct aerosol targeted pulmonary delivery and catheter-based drug delivery with reference to their relative effectiveness for the specific lesions. Currently several trials are ongoing to determine the effectiveness of such delivery systems alone and in conjunction with systemic therapies. Such approaches may prove to be very effective in the controlled and localized COVID-19 viral lesions in the lungs and potential sites. Moreover, localized delivery offered a safer delivery mode for such drugs which may have systemic adverse effects.
Insights
Targeted drug delivery to the lungs offers a promising approach for treating COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). Localized delivery via aerosols or catheters may improve treatment effectiveness and safety for lung lesions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Definitive pharmacological treatments for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) are still under development.
- Current COVID-19 treatments primarily use systemic delivery, which is suboptimal as the virus preferentially damages lung tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review targeted drug delivery strategies for localized treatment of COVID-19 lung lesions.
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of various direct lung delivery approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of targeted delivery systems including microbubbles, extracellular vesicles (exosomes), adenosine nanoparticles, and novel bio-objects.
- Analysis of aerosol-based and catheter-based pulmonary drug delivery methods.
- Assessment of approaches for targeting specific lung lesions.
Main Results:
- Targeted delivery systems aim to directly reach damaged lung tissue, bypassing systemic circulation.
- Various engineered products and delivery methods are being investigated for their efficacy in treating COVID-19 lung lesions.
- Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating these localized delivery systems, alone and with systemic therapies.
Conclusions:
- Targeted pulmonary drug delivery presents a potentially effective strategy for managing COVID-19 lung pathology.
- Localized delivery may offer a safer alternative by minimizing systemic adverse effects.
- Further research and clinical trials are crucial to establish the full potential of these advanced delivery systems.
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