Safety and Efficacy of Devices Delivering Inhaled Antibiotics among Adults with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A Systematic Review and a Network Meta-Analysis

Application of PLGA as a Biodegradable and Biocompatible Polymer for Pulmonary Delivery of Drugs

Pulmonary administration of biodegradable polymeric formulation is beneficial in the treatment of various respiratory diseases. For respiratory delivery, the polymer must be non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and stable. Poly D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) is a widely used polymer for inhalable formulations because of its attractive mechanical and processing characteristics which give great opportunities to pharmaceutical industries to formulate novel inhalable products. PLGA has many pharmaceutical applications and its biocompatible nature produces non-toxic degradation products. The degradation of PLGA takes place through the non-enzymatic hydrolytic breakdown of ester bonds to produce free lactic acid and glycolic acid. The biodegradation products of PLGA are eliminated in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) by the Krebs cycle. The biocompatible properties of PLGA are investigated in various in vivo and in vitro studies. The high structural integrity of PLGA particles provides better stability, excellent drug loading, and sustained drug release. This review provides detailed information about PLGA as an inhalable grade polymer, its synthesis, advantages, physicochemical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatible characteristics. The important formulation aspects that must be considered during the manufacturing of inhalable PLGA formulations and the toxicity of PLGA in the lungs are also discussed in this paper. Additionally, a thorough overview is given on the application of PLGA as a particulate carrier in the treatment of major respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension.

Inhaled Antibiotics in Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFB): A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Limitations in Adult Patients

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis has recently been under the spotlight due to a better detection rate with advanced imaging techniques. Recurrent infections in such patients are the main cause of their deterioration. This invariably leads to a catastrophic wheel of decline in lung function, reinfection, and repeated hospital consultations. The main goal of their management is based on the principles of prevention and vigorous treatment of recurrent infections. This review aimed to gather recent therapeutic options for inhaled antibacterial use in such patients and compare them for their properties of safety and efficacy. Studies done in the last 10 years on adult patients were gathered using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) strategy and later sorted using the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Research engines used include Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Saudi Digital Library. Out of the 31,739 articles identified initially, 1362 were screened. The final eight selected papers were assessed for quality by using the quality assessment checklist, the Cochrane bias assessment tool, the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) tools and cross-examined by co-authors. We concluded that the use of inhaled antibiotics as an adjuvant and follow-up treatment option is associated with better short and long-term prognoses in patients. They lead to lesser systemic side effects than the oral and intravenous varieties available on the market. However, the establishment of a hierarchy among the subgroups remains a grey area that needs further research.

Monitoring disease progression in childhood bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis (not related to cystic fibrosis) is a chronic lung disease caused by a range of etiologies but characterized by abnormal airway dilatation, recurrent respiratory symptoms, impaired quality of life and reduced life expectancy. Patients typically experience episodes of chronic wet cough and recurrent pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Early diagnosis and management of childhood bronchiectasis are essential to prevent respiratory decline, optimize quality of life, minimize pulmonary exacerbations, and potentially reverse bronchial disease. Disease monitoring potentially allows for (1) the early detection of acute exacerbations, facilitating timely intervention, (2) tracking the rate of disease progression for prognostic purposes, and (3) quantifying the response to therapies. This narrative review article will discuss methods for monitoring disease progression in children with bronchiectasis, including lung imaging, respiratory function, patient-reported outcomes, respiratory exacerbations, sputum biomarkers, and nutritional outcomes.