1
|
van den Bosch WB, Jacobs N, Tiddens H, van de Vathorst S. What if… your research is suddenly affiliated with a tobacco manufacturing company? BMJ Open Respir Res 2024; 11:e001505. [PMID: 38307629 PMCID: PMC10840048 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2022-001505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The tobacco industry is accountable for an annual global death toll of approximately 8 million people and cigarette smoking is the foremost risk factor for several types of cancer. In addition, the tobacco industry has a long and controversial history of trying to influence scientific research and of engaging in other morally problematic practices. In September 2021, the respiratory community was alarmed by the takeover of Vectura Group (Vectura) by Philip Morris International. As a reaction to this acquisition, strict measures were imposed by the International Respiratory Societies to prohibit the involvement of Vectura in respiratory research and its participation in societies' activities. International Respiratory Societies argued that Vectura had become part of the tobacco industry due to this takeover and is, therefore, subject to the same rules and restrictions. From a healthcare and historical perspective, the reaction and imposed measures are very understandable. However, for researchers that were already affiliated with Vectura through long-standing agreements and for research that was funded by Vectura, the imposed measures have serious consequences. With this article, we provide an example of these consequences. By reflecting on this issue, we would like to start a conversation regarding the current measures and to encourage the respiratory community to begin thinking of a way to avoid these consequences in the future. In addition, we hope that with this conversation the Respiratory Societies can set an example for other medical societies on how to cope with possible morally tainted affiliations (eg, fast food companies, alcohol manufacturing companies) in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wytse Bastiaan van den Bosch
- Department of Paediatrics, division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Noortje Jacobs
- Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Harm Tiddens
- Department of Paediatrics, division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Thirona BV, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Suzanne van de Vathorst
- Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lenders V, Koutsoumpou X, Phan P, Soenen SJ, Allegaert K, de Vleeschouwer S, Toelen J, Zhao Z, Manshian BB. Modulation of engineered nanomaterial interactions with organ barriers for enhanced drug transport. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:4672-4724. [PMID: 37338993 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00574j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The biomedical use of nanoparticles (NPs) has been the focus of intense research for over a decade. As most NPs are explored as carriers to alter the biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of associated drugs, the delivery of these NPs to the tissues of interest remains an important topic. To date, the majority of NP delivery studies have used tumor models as their tool of interest, and the limitations concerning tumor targeting of systemically administered NPs have been well studied. In recent years, the focus has also shifted to other organs, each presenting their own unique delivery challenges to overcome. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in leveraging NPs to overcome four major biological barriers including the lung mucus, the gastrointestinal mucus, the placental barrier, and the blood-brain barrier. We define the specific properties of these biological barriers, discuss the challenges related to NP transport across them, and provide an overview of recent advances in the field. We discuss the strengths and shortcomings of different strategies to facilitate NP transport across the barriers and highlight some key findings that can stimulate further advances in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Lenders
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Xanthippi Koutsoumpou
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Philana Phan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Stefaan J Soenen
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium.
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, CN Rotterdam, 3015, The Netherlands
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Child and Youth Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven de Vleeschouwer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Leuven Child and Youth Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zongmin Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Bella B Manshian
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|