Harnessing Endogenous Mechanisms for Targeted Drug Delivery

Harnessing Endogenous Mechanisms for Targeted Drug Delivery presents a comprehensive exploration of the evolving landscape of targeted drug delivery, emphasizing the strategic utilization of the body's intrinsic biological pathways. This authoritative two-volume reference addresses the critical need for precision in therapeutic delivery, overcoming physiological, anatomical, and immunological barriers through innovative endogenous mechanisms. By integrating foundational concepts with advanced methodologies, the work underscores the transition from traditional passive and active targeting to sophisticated endogenous strategies that enhance drug specificity and efficacy.The text systematically examines the multifaceted challenges inherent in drug delivery, including detailed analyses of in vivo barriers such as the blood-tumor barrier, blood-brain barrier, ocular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal obstacles, as well as cellular and intracellular impediments. It further elucidates endogenous stimuli-responsive systems, nutrient transporter exploitation, glyco-targeting, and stealth peptide modifications. Comprehensive coverage extends to drug conjugates, protein corona phenomena, and cell-based delivery platforms encompassing stem cells, leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets. The series also addresses extracellular vesicles, viral vectors, and plant virus-based carriers, culminating in critical discussions on manufacturing complexities, regulatory considerations, and clinical translation challenges.This definitive resource is indispensable for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals in academia and industry engaged in targeted drug delivery research and development. By providing an in-depth understanding of endogenous targeting mechanisms and their translational potential, the book fosters innovation and supports the advancement of precision therapeutics with the goal of improving patient outcomes.- Provides comprehensive insights into endogenous strategies for targeted drug delivery- Highlights innovative techniques like using cells as Trojan Horse-Cloaking Particles- Explores the clinical and commercial translation of these strategies- Offers practical solutions to contemporary challenges in the area- Emphasizes the role of disease-specific stimuli and plasma proteins in drug delivery

About the Author

Dr. D’Souza is a Research Fellow at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, and is a Visiting Scholar at the Northeastern University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, in Boston, MA. She earned her PhD (Tech.) in Pharmaceutics from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (ICT, formerly UDCT). Following her postdoctoral at IIT-Bombay, she served as a Research Formulation Scientist at Piramal Enterprises Limited, Mumbai. In this role, she contributed to projects achieving successful Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals by the US FDA. Dr. D’Souza’s research interests primarily revolve around colloidal drug delivery systems, viz., polymeric and solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced bioavailability, controlled delivery and targeting. Additionally, she also explores nucleic acid delivery platforms for addressing CNS-related neurodegenerative disorders. She has published research papers and reviews in peer-reviewed journals, authored numerous book chapters, and co-edited a Springer-published book titled “Targeted Intracellular Drug Delivery by Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis”.

Dr. Lara Milane is Assistant Teaching Professor in Biotechnology at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University. She is interested in Mitochondrial Medicine. She is working on developing nanomedicines for a range of diseases (cancer, neurodegenerative disease, aging) that manipulate mitochondria for therapeutic outcomes. Dr. Milane was trained as a National Cancer Institute/ National Science Foundation Nanomedicine Fellow at Northeastern University, Boston, MA. Dr. Milane is an intuitive cancer biologist with research interests in developing translational nanomedicines that exploit the hallmarks of cancer.

Mansoor M. Amiji is the Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University. Dr. Amiji has edited a number of books and is a frequently published author. His research focuses on the synthesis of novel polymeric materials for medical and pharmaceutical applications, drug delivery systems and nanomedical technologies, and his contributions in research advising, grant reviews for various organizations and editorial work for journals are invaluable.