Pulmonary delivery of micro/nanoparticles of various drugs from dry powder inhaler formulations

Overview

Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.

Dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation is one of the most useful aerosol preparations in which drugs are formulated as carrier–based interactive mixtures with micronised drug particles (<5μ) adhered onto the surface of large inert carriers (lactose powders). The powder formulation is aerosolized through a device, where the drug particles are separated from the carrier or deagglomerate from the mixture, and the dose is delivered into the deep lungs by the patient’s inspiratory force. For the carrier–based interactive mixtures, particles with aerodynamic particle sizes of less than 5 μm are mixed with large carriers for effective dispersion of micronized drugs to the deep lung. However, the delivery efficiency of drugs form currently available DPI system is limited and the reason behind this in not clear. The surface properties of carriers are an important controlling factor in the efficient dispersion of drugs into the deep lung. The concentration of added fine particles and their size affect the performance of drug dispersion. Surface treated polymer microcarriers have been demonstrated to be useful for pulmonary drug delivery. The introduction of micro/nanoparticles for aerosol delivery of drugs has become very popular, and micro/nanoparticles particles of biodegradable polymers have been demonstrated to deliver various drugs into the lungs with improved dispersion from the formulation. Drug-loaded polymer micro/nanoparticles have been found to increase dispersion of drugs from powder formulations together with the prolongation of the therapeutic action and stabilization of the drugs. The application of drug-loaded polymers in DPIs has not been well studied.

 

Possible projects:

  • Surface characterization of micronized particles for pulmonary delivery of various drugs
  • Development of drug-loaded biodegradable polymer nanoparticles for controlled release DPI formulation
  • Micro/nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for pulmonary administration using DPI for systemic diseases
  • Chemical modification and practical application of biodegradable polymers carriers with enhanced dispersibility for pulmonary delivery of drug
Study level
Honours
Supervisors
QUT
Organisational unit

Science and Engineering Faculty

Research area

Pharmacy

Contact

Supervisor: Dr. Nazrul Islam (nazrul.islam@qut.edu.au)