Advances in particle shape engineering for improved drug delivery. Issue 2 (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Yiwei; Nie, Di; Liu, Yuan; Yu, Miaorong; Gan, Yong
• Is Part Of: Drug discovery today. Volume 24:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 575
• Page End: 583
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Drugs -- Design -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6446

Abstract

Highlights: Particle shape can significantly affect the in vivo behavior during drug delivery. Shape engineering can improve the efficacy of drug delivery. Elucidating the mechanisms provides the theoretical basis for rational design. Computational modeling helps achieve a deeper understanding of the mechanisms. Abstract : Spherical particles such as liposomes and microspheres are the most common and extensively applied drug vehicles. However, researchers have come to realize the superiority of nonspherical nanoparticles. Actually, in human bodies red blood cells, gut biotics and many well-known pathogens have distinct shapes. It can be reasonably inferred that particle shape plays a pivotal part in human bodies. In this review, we summarize the recent studies about the effect of shape on delivery processes such as cellular uptake, tissue penetration and biodistribution. The underlying mechanisms that are relevant to the phenomena revealed, owing to experimental and computational modern techniques, will be addressed, and we shall provide future perspectives on particle design to improve the efficacy of drug delivery.