Injectables and Depots to Prolong Drug Action of Proteins and Peptides
Nkiruka Ibeanu,
Raphael Egbu,
Lesley Onyekuru,
Hoda Javaheri,
Peng Tee Khaw,
Gareth R. Williams,
Steve Brocchini,
Sahar Awwad
Affiliations
Nkiruka Ibeanu
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Raphael Egbu
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Lesley Onyekuru
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Hoda Javaheri
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Peng Tee Khaw
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
Gareth R. Williams
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Steve Brocchini
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Sahar Awwad
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
Proteins and peptides have emerged in recent years to treat a wide range of multifaceted diseases such as cancer, diabetes and inflammation. The emergence of polypeptides has yielded advancements in the fields of biopharmaceutical production and formulation. Polypeptides often display poor pharmacokinetics, limited permeability across biological barriers, suboptimal biodistribution, and some proclivity for immunogenicity. Frequent administration of polypeptides is generally required to maintain adequate therapeutic levels, which can limit efficacy and compliance while increasing adverse reactions. Many strategies to increase the duration of action of therapeutic polypeptides have been described with many clinical products having been developed. This review describes approaches to optimise polypeptide delivery organised by the commonly used routes of administration. Future innovations in formulation may hold the key to the continued successful development of proteins and peptides with optimal clinical properties.