Special Issue on Advanced Drug Delivery Approaches for Inner Ear Therapeutics

Hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities affecting both children and adults worldwide. However, traditional treatment of hearing loss has some limitations, particularly in terms of drug delivery system as well as diagnosis of ear imaging. The blood–labyrinth barrier (BLB), the barrier between the vasculature and fluids of the inner ear, restricts entry of most blood-borne compounds into inner ear tissues. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been demonstrated to have high biocompatibility, good degradation, and simple synthesis in the process of diagnosis and treatment, which are promising for medical applications in hearing loss. Although previous studies have shown that NPs have promising applications in the field of inner ear diseases, there is still a gap between biological research and clinical application. In this paper, we aim to summarize developments and challenges of NPs in diagnostics and treatment of hearing loss in recent years. This review may be useful to raise otology researchers’ awareness of effect of NPs on hearing diagnosis and treatment.

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A Totally Implantable Drug Delivery System for Local Therapy of the Middle and Inner Ear

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/014556139707600813 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 76 (8) ◽

pp. 567-570 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Rolf Lehner ◽

Heribert Brugger ◽

Marcus M. Maassen ◽

Hans-Peter Zenner

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Drug Delivery System ◽

Delivery System ◽

Drug Application ◽

Local Therapy ◽

Trophic Factors ◽

Mastoid Cavity ◽

Round Window Membrane ◽

Wide Range

Local therapy of middle and inner ear diseases is being used, but is restricted to cases of ear drum perforation or to repeated invasive intratympanic drug application by the physician. In accordance with the Medical Device Directive (class III), a bone-anchored, totally implantable drug delivery system (TI-DDS) has been developed. It includes a micropump for subcutaneous, patient-controlled activation, a drug reservoir and a septum port. A thin guide-wired catheter leads from the pump outlet to the point of application in the mastoid or middle ear cavities. Local inner ear therapy with suitable drugs is possible by positioning the catheter's end near the round window membrane. The system requires no battery and will offer a wide range of patient-controlled bolus applications (25 μl per activation). We first analyzed the three-dimensional implantation geometry of the mastoid cavity. Basic micromechanical problems have been solved in order to create several prototypes. The TI-DDS has already undergone extensive in vitro testing. Recent results of pump rate precision and digital pressure force testing are promising. Local drug treatment for conditions such as lidocaine-sensitive tinnitus, secretory otitis media, Meniere's disease, localized pain and intralesional cancer is under discussion. Furthermore, local application of future biotechnological trophic factors for inner ear treatment is anticipated. The basic engineering is completed and initial animal tests are in preparation.

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A Special Issue on Nanotechnology in Advanced Drug Delivery

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ◽

10.1166/jnn.2006.401a ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 (9) ◽

pp. i-i

Author(s):

M. N. V. Ravi Kumar

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Special Issue

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Drug Delivery Technology Development in Canada

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics11100541 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 541

Author(s):

Wasan ◽

Badea

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Technology Development ◽

The Body ◽

Special Issue ◽

Academic Institutions ◽

Formulation Development ◽

Drug Release Profile ◽

History Of ◽

Biotechnology Companies ◽

Site Targeting

Canada has a long and rich history of ground-breaking research in drug delivery within academic institutions, pharmaceutical industry and the biotechnology community. Drug delivery refers to approaches, formulations, technologies, and systems for transporting a pharmaceutical compound in the body as needed to safely achieve its desired therapeutic effect. It may involve rational site-targeting, or facilitating systemic pharmacokinetics; in any case, it is typically concerned with both quantity and duration of the presence of the drug in the body. Drug delivery is often approached through a drug's chemical formulation, medical devices or drug-device combination products. Drug delivery is a concept heavily integrated with dosage form development and selection of route of administration; the latter sometimes even being considered part of the definition. Drug delivery technologies modify drug release profile, absorption, distribution and elimination for the benefit of improving product efficacy and safety, as well as patient convenience and adherence. Over the past 30 years, numerous Canadian-based biotechnology companies have been formed stemming from the inventions conceived and developed within academic institutions. Many have led to the development of important drug delivery products that have enhanced the landscape of drug therapy in the treatment of cancer to infectious diseases. This Special Issue serves to highlight the progress of drug delivery within Canada. We invited articles on all aspects of drug delivery sciences from pre-clinical formulation development to human clinical trials that bring to light the world-class research currently undertaken in Canada for this Special Issue.

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Polymer Clay Nano-Composites

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym11091445 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1445

Author(s):

Stefano Leporatti

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Composite Materials ◽

Polymer Composite ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Environmental Water ◽

Water Remediation ◽

Nano Composites ◽

Special Issue ◽

Current State ◽

Exciting Area

Clay–polymer composite materials is an exciting area of research and this Special Issue aims to address the current state-of-the-art of “Polymer Clay Nano-Composites” for several applications, among them antibacterial, environmental, water remediation, dental, drug delivery and others [...]

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Paediatric Formulation: Design and Development

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21197118 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (19) ◽

pp. 7118

Author(s):

Antonio Lopalco ◽

Nunzio Denora

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Patient Population ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Original Research ◽

Special Issue ◽

Formulation Development ◽

Design And Development ◽

Formulation Design ◽

Age Appropriate ◽

Paediatric Formulation

The development of medicines designed for children can be challenging since this distinct patient population requires specific needs. A formulation designed for paediatric patients must consider the following aspects: patient population variability; dose flexibility; route of administration; patient compliance; drug and excipient tolerability. The purpose of this Special Issue entitled “Paediatric Formulation: Design and Development” is to provide an update on both state-of-the-art methodology and operational challenges in the design and development of paediatric formulations. It aims at re-evaluating what is needed for more progress in the design and development of age-appropriate treatments for paediatric diseases, focusing on: formulation development; drug delivery design; efficacy, safety, and tolerability of drugs and excipients. This editorial, briefly, summarizes the objects of nine original research and review papers published in this Special Issue.

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