Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: Concepts and Applications

Preface
Contents
About the Editors
Polymeric Nanoparticles
	1 Introduction
	2 Composition
		2.1 Types of Polymers
		2.2 Types of Drugs
		2.3 Use of Surfactants
		2.4 Functionalization of Polymeric Nanoparticles
	3 Release Mechanisms
	4 Production Techniques
		4.1 Emulsification-Solvent Evaporation Method
		4.2 Salting Out
		4.3 Spontaneous Emulsification-Solvent Diffusion Method
		4.4 Nanoprecipitation Method
		4.5 Ionic Gelification Method
		4.6 Dialysis Technique
		4.7 Supercritical Fluid Technology
	5 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
	References
Lipid Nanocarriers
	1 Lipidic Nanocarriers
		1.1 Microemulsion
		1.2 Nanoemulsions
		1.3 Liposomes
		1.4 Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers
		1.5 Liquid Crystalline Nanodispersions
	2 Preparation Methods of Lipid Nanocarriers
		2.1 Phase Inversion Methods
		2.2 Emulsification and Solvent Evaporation Method
		2.3 Hot Emulsion and Ultra-Turrax® or Ultrasonicator
		2.4 High-Pressure Homogenization
		2.5 Lipid Film Hydration
	3 Conclusion
	References
Inorganic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
	1 Introduction
	2 Gold Nanoparticles
	3 Silver Nanoparticles
	4 Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
	5 Quantum Dots
	6 Ceramic Nanoparticles
	7 Considerations and Perspectives
	References
Colloidal Disperse Systems: Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions
	1 Microemulsions
	2 Nanoemulsions
	3 Quality Control of Micro- and Nanoemulsions
	4 Conclusions and Future Perspectives
	References
Physicochemical Characterization of Drug Nanocarrriers
	1 Introduction
	2 Characterization
		2.1 Techniques to Obtain Size and Surface Charge
		2.2 Drug Quantification Techniques
		2.3 Microscopic Techniques
		2.4 Other Techniques
		2.5 Drug Release Assay
	3 Conclusion
	References
Targeting of Drug Nanocarriers
	1 Introduction
	2 Nanostructured Drug Delivery Systems: Passive Targeting
	3 Nanostructured Drug Delivery Systems: Active Targeting
		3.1 Folate
		3.2 Oligosaccharides
		3.3 Peptides
		3.4 Transferrin
		3.5 Monoclonal Antibodies or Their Fragments
		3.6 Aptamers
	4 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
	References
Nanocarriers for Oral Drug Delivery
	1 Introduction
	2 Nanotechnology as a Technological Strategy for Oral Drug Release
	3 Nanocarriers for Oral Drug Release
		3.1 Nanosuspensions
	4 Dendrimers
	5 Polymeric Nanoparticles
	6 Micelles
	7 Nanoemulsions
	8 Liposomes
	9 Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and Lipid Nanocarriers (LNC)
	10 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
	References
Nanocarriers of Drugs for Topical Delivery
	1 Introduction
		1.1 Structure and Function of the Skin
		1.2 Routes of Skin Penetration
		1.3 Assays for Characterization of the Cutaneous Penetration of Drugs
	2 Nanocarriers
		2.1 Vesicular Systems
	3 Penetration-Enhancing Mediated by Topical Nanocarriers: Main Mechanisms and Factors that Influence the Cutaneous Transport
	4 Conclusions and Perspectives
	References
Recent Advances in Nanocarriers Used for Selective Gene Silencing Therapy
	1 Introduction
	2 Gene Therapy
		2.1 RNA Interference
		2.2 Advantages of RNA Interference Therapy
		2.3 Endosomal Escape
		2.4 Challenges of RNA Interference Therapy
	3 Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery in Gene Therapy
		3.1 Lipid Nanoparticles
		3.2 Liquid Crystalline Nanodispersions
		3.3 Polymeric Nanoparticles
		3.4 Dendrimers
		3.5 Inorganic Nanoparticles
		3.6 Combined Use of Physical Methods and Nanocarriers
	4 Current Clinical Trials of SiRNA
		4.1 Nanoparticles
		4.2 N-Acetyl Galactosamine-Conjugated siRNA
	5 Conclusions and Future Directions
	References
Nanocarriers for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer
	1 Introduction
		1.1 Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems
	2 Cancer: Pathophysiology, Epidemiology and Treatment
	3 Nanocarriers for Use in the Diagnosis of Cancer
		3.1 Polymeric Nanoparticles
		3.2 Liposomes and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN)
		3.3 Inorganic Nanocarriers for the Diagnosis of Cancer
	4 Nanocarriers for Cancer Treatment: Clinical Trials and the Pharmaceutical Market
	5 Conclusions and Perspectives
	References
Nanosystems Comprising Biocompatible Polymers for the Delivery of Photoactive Compounds in Biomedical Applications
	1 Introduction
		1.1 Biocompatible and Biodegradable Polymers and Their Use as DDSs
		1.2 Biocompatible Polymers as DDSs in Photodynamic Therapy
	2 Pharmacotechnical Development of Biocompatible Polymers as DDSs
		2.1 Polylactide, Polyglycolide, and Their Copolymers
		2.2 Alginate
		2.3 Collagen
		2.4 Gelatin
		2.5 Polyhydroxybutyrate
		2.6 Chitosan
		2.7 Polydioxanone
	3 Pharmacokinetics
	4 Introduction to Photodynamic Therapy: Biomedical Applications of DDSs Containing Photosensitizing Drugs
	5 Photodynamic Mechanisms and Applications
	6 TYPE I: Redox Reactions with Biomolecules, Superoxide Production, Etc.
	7 TYPE II: Mediated by Singlet Oxygen. For Example, Lipid Peroxidation
	8 Conclusion
	References
Toxicology of Nanoparticles
	1 Introduction
	2 Physico-Chemical Properties of Nanoparticles X Toxicity
		2.1 Nanoparticle Size and Surface Area
		2.2 Nanoparticle Geometry
		2.3 Composition
		2.4 Dose and Concentration
		2.5 Influence of Nanoparticle Surface and Aggregation
	3 Evaluation Methods of Nanotoxicology
		3.1 In Vitro Methods
		3.2 In Vivo Evaluation
	4 Conclusion
	References
Regulation of Nanotechnology-Based Products Subject to Health Regulations: Application of Quality by Design (QbD) and Quality Risk Management (QRM)
	1 Nanotechnology-Based Product Subject to Health Regulations
	2 Regulatory Concept of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (N&N)
	3 Quality by Design (QbD) and Quality Risk Management (QRM) as Strategies for Compliance with Regulations of Nanotechnology-Based Products
	4 QRM for Evaluating the Nanotechnology Employed
	5 Final Considerations and Future Perspectives
	References