Non-spherical micro- and nanoparticles for drug delivery: Progress over 15 years

Neha Kapate; John R Clegg; Samir Mitragotri

doi:10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.017

Non-spherical micro- and nanoparticles for drug delivery: Progress over 15 years

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2021 Oct:177:113807. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.017. Epub 2021 May 21.

Authors

Neha Kapate¹, John R Clegg², Samir Mitragotri³

Affiliations

¹ Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
² John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
³ John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: mitragotri@seas.harvard.edu.

PMID: 34023331
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.017

Abstract

Shape of particulate drug carries has been identified as a key parameter in determining their biological outcome. In this review, we analyze the field of particle shape as it shifts from fundamental investigations to contemporary applications for disease treatment, while highlighting outstanding remaining questions. We summarize fabrication and characterization methods and discuss in depth how particle shape influences biological interactions with cells, transport in the vasculature, targeting in the body, and modulation of the immune response. As the field moves from discoveries to applications, further attention needs to be paid to factors such as characterization and quality control, selection of model organisms, and disease models. Taken together, these aspects will provide a conceptual foundation for designing future non-spherical drug carriers to overcome biological barriers and improve therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords: Anisotropic; Drug delivery; Geometry; Immune response; Internalization; Non-spherical; Particle; Shape; Targeting.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Drug Delivery Systems / trends*
Humans
Immune System / drug effects
Nanoparticles* / administration & dosage