Nanomedicine strategies for drug delivery to the ear. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pritz, Christian Oliver; Dudás, József; Rask-Andersen, Helge; Schrott-Fischer, Anneliese; Glueckert, Rudolf
• Is Part Of: Nanomedicine. Volume 8:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 1155
• Page End: 1172
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: antibody -- cochlea -- hearing loss -- inner ear -- local therapy -- nanotechnology-mediated drug delivery -- peptide ligand -- round window membrane -- specific targeting -- surface functionalization; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm.13.104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5889

Abstract

The highly compartmentalized anatomy of the ear aggravates drug delivery, which is used to combat hearing-related diseases. Novel nanosized drug vehicles are thought to overcome the limitations of classic approaches. In this article, we summarize the nanotechnology-based efforts involving nano-objects, such as liposomes, polymersomes, lipidic nanocapsules and poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) nanoparticles, as well as nanocoatings of implants to provide an efficient means for drug transfer in the ear. Modern strategies do not only enhance drug delivery efficiency, in the inner ear these vector systems also aim for specific uptake into hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. These novel peptide-mediated strategies for specific delivery are reviewed in this article. Finally, the biosafety of these vector systems is still an outstanding issue, since long-term application to the ear has not yet been assessed.