clinical pharmacology
Nanomedicine
Introduction
Nanomedicine uses the tools of nanotechnology (ie, biocompatible nanoparticles and nanorobots) to deliver drugs, diagnose disease, and do in vivo imaging. Nanotechnology has improved drug delivery by targeting specific organs to optimize the efficacy and safety profiles of individual drugs. The nanoparticle size (usually ranging from 1 to 100 nm), shape, and surface chemistry are important factors that contribute to its pharmacokinetics, including the degree of Drug Absorption , Most nanomedicines are administered orally or intravenously and achieve their effects through passive targeting, which relies on nonspecific accumulation in tissues, including tumors ( General references ). Liposomes were the first nanomedicines and remain one of the most successful nanoparticles conjugated to chemotherapeutic agents, such as Polymeric nanoparticles (eg, peg-filgrastim) increase a drug’s half-life and bioavailability and have been used in controlled-release applications. Micelles are used to encapsulate poorly water-soluble drugs (eg,estradiol) to enhance their dissolution in aqueous solution and hence their absorption. ), that leads to increased surface area for dissolution and solubility. With the burgeoning interest in nanomedicine-based drugs, the pharmacokinetics and Overview of Pharmacodynamics must be closely evaluated to optimize drug delivery to the target site while minimizing adverse effects since nanoparticles are designed to be long-lasting with minimal excretion within organs. (See also Overview of Pharmacokinetics .) 