Disease guided optimization of the respiratory delivery of microparticulate formulations.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inhalation of microparticulate dosage forms can be effectively used in the treatment of respiratory and systemic diseases. OBJECTIVE: Disease states investigated for treatment by inhalation of microparticles were reviewed along with the drugs' pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and physical chemical properties to identify the advantages of microparticulate inhalation formulations and to identify areas for further improvement. METHODS: Microbial infections of the lung, asthma, diabetes, lung transplantation and lung cancer were examined, with a focus on those systems intended to provide a sustained release. CONCLUSION: In developing microparticulate formulations for inhalation in the lung, there is a need to understand the pharmacology of the drug as the key to revealing the optimal concentration time profile, the disease state, and the pharmacokinetic properties of the pure drug as determined by IV administration and inhalation. Finally, in vitro release studies will allow better identification of the best dosing strategy to be used in efficacy and safety studies.