Polymeric Nanomedicines in Pulmonary Delivery

This chapter presents literature data on the studies focused on nanoparticulate systems and on pulmonary drugs delivery as a non-invasive alternative for the controlled release of therapeutic agents both in systemic and local treatments. The large lung surface and the existence of minimal barriers that prevent access to pulmonary peripheral make this organ a suitable portal for various therapeutic strategies. The nanotransporters employed in the pulmonary drug delivery provide several advantages, such as the relatively smooth distribution of the drug dose in the alveoli, a better drug solubilisation and the controlled drug release which reduces the administration frequency and decreases the incidence of side-effects. Both the methods of obtaining nanoparticles suitable for improving access to lung peripheral areas and the in vitro/in vivo assessment methods and the toxicity studies have been analyzed.

Keywords: Pulmonary delivery, respiratory apparatus, nanoparticles, lung, alveoli, nebulizer, dry powder inhaler, airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, aerosols, spray-drying, thermal condensation, direct controlled crystallization, liposomes, dendrimers, poly(lactide-co-glicolide), solid-lipid nanoparticles, poly(cyanoacrylate), inertial impaction, gamma scintigraphy.