Oral Delivery of Biologics for Precision Medicine

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2020-04, Vol.32 (13), p.e1901935-n/a
• Main Authors: Durán‐Lobato, Matilde, Niu, Zhigao, Alonso, María José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Animals; Antibodies; Antibodies - administration & dosage; Antibodies - therapeutic use; Biological products; Biological Products - administration & dosage; Biological Products - therapeutic use; Colon; colonic drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Humans; Macromolecules; Mapping; Materials science; Nucleic acids; Nucleic Acids - administration & dosage; Nucleic Acids - therapeutic use; oral drug delivery; peptide/protein delivery; Peptides; Peptides - administration & dosage; Peptides - therapeutic use; polynucleotide delivery; Precision medicine; Precision Medicine - methods
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901935

The emerging field of precision medicine is rapidly growing, fostered by the advances in genome mapping and molecular diagnosis. In general, the translation of these advances into precision treatments relies on the use of biological macromolecules, whose structure offers a high specificity and potency. Unfortunately, due to their complex structure and limited ability to overcome biological barriers, these macromolecules need to be administered via injection. The scientific community has devoted significant effort to making the oral administration of macromolecules plausible thanks to the implementation of drug delivery technologies. Here, an overview of the current situation and future prospects in the field of oral delivery of biologics is provided. Technologies in clinical trials, as well as recent and disruptive delivery systems proposed in the literature for local and systemic delivery of biologics including peptides, antibodies, and nucleic acids, are described. Strategies for the specific targeting of gastrointestinal regions—stomach, small bowel, and colon—cell populations, and internalization pathways, are analyzed. Finally, challenges associated with the clinical translation, future prospects, and identified opportunities for advancement in this field are also discussed. Oral drug delivery technologies contribute to precision medicine by enabling the targeted delivery of biologics. The harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract and the complex structure of macromolecules make their formulation a critical challenge. An overview of the current situation, future prospects, barriers to clinical translation, and identified opportunities for advancement in the field is provided.