Drug Delivery to the Lung

About

Background: In comparison to non-swellable particles, the swellable particles can more successfully avoid phagocytic engulfment by alveolar macrophages and clearance from the lungs, due to size exclusion of the particles from the phagocytes’ cystolic space. Swellable particles are capable of a longer term release of a therapeutic agent. Following inhalation, swellable biodegradable particles can deposit in the lungs, and subsequently undergo swelling, slow degredation, and drug release, without the majority of the particles being phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages. The drug can be delivered relatively slowly into the alveolar fluid, and at a controlled rate into the blood stream, minimizing possible toxic responses of exposed cells to an excessively high concentration of the drug. Therefore the swellable particles are highly suitable for inhalation therapies, particularly in controlled release applications.   Any variety of therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents can be incorporated within the swelling particles. The swelling particles can be used to locally or systemically deliver a variety of therapeutic agents.  The swelling particles are useful as carriers for a variety of inhalation therapies. They can be used to encapsulate small and large drugs, release encapsulated drugs over time periods ranging from hours to months, and withstand extreme conditions during aerosolization or following deposition in the lungs that might otherwise harm the encapsulated therapeutic. Technology Description: Improved swellable particles for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration. The present invention provides improved swellable particles for delivery to the pulmonary system, and to a method for their incorporation and administration of a working agent, such as including but not limited to a therapeutic agent, diagnostic agent, prophylactic agent or imaging agent. Advantages/Applications: In comparison to non-swellable particles, the swellable particles can more successfully avoid phagocytic engulfment by alveolar macrophages and clearance from the lungs, due to size exclusion of the particles from the phagocytes’ cystolic space. Swellable particles are capable of a longer term release of a therapeutic agent. Following inhalation, swellable biodegradable particles can deposit in the lungs, and subsequently undergo swelling, slow degredation, and drug release, without the majority of the particles being phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages. The drug can be delivered relatively slowly into the alveolar fluid, and at a controlled rate into the blood stream, minimizing possible toxic responses of exposed cells to an excessively high concentration of the drug. Therefore the swellable particles are highly suitable for inhalation therapies, particularly in controlled release applications.   Any variety of therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents can be incorporated within the swelling particles. The swelling particles can be used to locally or systemically deliver a variety of therapeutic agents.  The swelling particles are useful as carriers for a variety of inhalation therapies. They can be used to encapsulate small and large drugs, release encapsulated drugs over time periods ranging from hours to months, and withstand extreme conditions during aerosolization or following deposition in the lungs that might otherwise harm the encapsulated therapeutic.