PLGA‐based in situ ‐forming system: degradation behavior in the presence of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Drug-delivery nanoparticles for bone-tissue and dental applications

The use of nanoparticles as biomaterials with applications in the biomedical field is growing every day. These nanomaterials can be used as contrast imaging agents, combination therapy agents, and targeted delivery systems in medicine and dentistry. Usually, nanoparticles are found as synthetic or natural organic materials, such as hydroxyapatite, polymers, and lipids. Besides that, they are could also be inorganic, for instance, metallic or metal-oxide-based particles. These inorganic nanoparticles could additionally present magnetic properties, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The use of nanoparticles as drug delivery agents has many advantages, for they help diminish toxicity effects in the body since the drug dose reduces significantly, increases drugs biocompatibility, and helps target drugs to specific organs. As targeted-delivery agents, one of the applications uses nanoparticles as drug delivery particles for bone-tissue to treat cancer, osteoporosis, bone diseases, and dental treatments such as periodontitis. Their application as drug delivery agents requires a good comprehension of the nanoparticle properties and composition, alongside their synthesis and drug attachment characteristics. Properties such as size, shape, core-shell designs, and magnetic characteristics can influence their behavior inside the human body and modify magnetic properties in the case of magnetic nanoparticles. Based on that, many different studies have modified the synthesis methods for these nanoparticles and developed composite systems for therapeutics delivery, adapting, and improving magnetic properties, shell-core designs, and particle size and nanosystems characteristics. This review presents the most recent studies that have been presented with different nanoparticle types and structures for bone and dental drug delivery.

Release mechanisms and applications of drug delivery systems for extended-release

INTRODUCTION

Drug delivery systems with extended-release profiles are ideal in improving patient compliance with enhanced efficacy. To develop devices capable of a prolonged delivery kinetics, it is crucial to understand the various underlying mechanisms contributing to extended drug release and the impact thereof on modulating the long-term performance of such systems in a practical application environment.

AREAS COVERED

This review article intends to provide a comprehensive summary of release mechanisms in extended-release drug delivery systems, particularly polymer-based systems; however, other material types will also be mentioned. Selected current research in the delivery of small molecule drugs and macromolecules is highlighted. Emphasis is placed on the combined impact of different release mechanisms and drug properties on the long-term release kinetics in vitro and in vivo.

EXPERT OPINION

The development of drug delivery systems over an extended duration is promising but also challenging when considering the numerous interrelated delivery-related parameters. Achieving a well-controlled extended drug release requires advanced techniques to minimize burst release and lag phase, a better understanding of the dynamic interrelationship between drug properties and release profiles over time, and a thorough elucidation of the impact of multiple in vivo conditions to methodically evaluate the eventual clinical efficacy.