Drug delivery in a selective manner to a biological target, such as an organ, tissue, cells, or intracellular organelles, is called targeted drug delivery.
Organ-specific
drug delivery
Introduction
Drug
delivery in a selective manner to a biological target, such as an organ, tissue,
cells, or intracellular organelles, is called targeted drug delivery. Targeted drug delivery is achieved by
ensuring high drug concentration in a target organ or tissue through the
systemic circulation. In other words, a drug is delivered systemically or is
absorbed into the systemic circula-tion, first—before accumulating at the
target site of action. This modality is exemplified by the intravenous
administration of a liposomal delivery system of a cytotoxic drug such that the
drug distribution into the kidney is avoided, thus minimizing the renal side
effects of the drug.
This
modality is distinguished from localized
drug therapy, wherein the drug is not intended to reach systemic
circulation. The drug is administered or applied locally for local action. This
modality is exemplified by localized application of an antibiotic on a skin
laceration or infection.
A
third modality is the utilization of different organs or organ systems to
enable drug absorption into the systemic circulation. For example, transdermal
or sublingual drug delivery is intended for drug absorption into the systemic
circulation. These aspects are generally covered under alternate routes of drug delivery.
Often,
however, route of drug administration or organ for drug delivery may be
utilized for drug delivery for localized action as well as drug deliv-ery to
the systemic circulation, depending on the pathological condition and the
therapeutic need. For example, pulmonary drug administration of steroids is
utilized for localized anti-inflammatory action, whereas pulmo-nary insulin
administration is intended for systemic delivery. There are also cases where
parenteral nanoparticulate drug administration is targeted for drug delivery to
the lung.
Therefore,
this chapter provides an integrated discussion of various organs and tissues
utilized either as alternate routes for drug delivery to the systemic
circulation or as organ or tissue drug targets, either by local or after
systemic administration.
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