Targeted drug delivery vehicles mediated by nanocarriers and aptamers for posterior eye disease therapeutics: barriers, recent advances and potential opportunities

Abstract

Nanomedicine and aptamer have excellent potential in giving play to passive and active targeting respectively, which are considered to be effective strategies in the retro-ocular drug delivery system. The presence of closely adjoined tissue structures in the eye makes it difficult to administer the drug in the posterior segment of the eye. The application of nanomedicine could represent a new avenue for the treatment, since it could improve penetration, achieve targeted release, and improve bioavailability. Additionally, a novel type of targeted molecule aptamer with identical objective was proposed. As an emerging molecule, aptamer shows the advantages of penetration, non-toxicity, and high biocompatibility, which make it suitable for ocular drug administration. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the recent studies on the effectiveness of nanoparticles as a drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. This paper also creatively looks forward to the possibility of the combined application of nanocarriers and aptamers as a new method of targeted drug delivery system in the field of post-ophthalmic therapy.

Eudragit Films as Carriers of Lipoic Acid for Transcorneal Permeability

“…This method is more benign but carries the difficulty that the cornea offers a significant barrier [ 31 ]. Previous studies have developed systems in this direction, especially in the use of polymeric nanoparticles [ 29 , 32 , 33 ] for the treatment of different ocular pathologies. In our case, and taking these previous works as a reference, we can say that the composition and characteristics of our insert favor corneal permeability due to several factors.…”

Advancements in Nanogels for Enhanced Ocular Drug Delivery: Cutting-Edge Strategies to Overcome Eye Barriers

“…This is achieved by modifying their physicochemical properties, such as binding different materials to nanocarrier surfaces. Overall, optimizing the physicochemical properties and surface modifications of nanocarriers can significantly contribute to overcoming ocular drug delivery barriers [ 63 ]. The choice of modification method is often connected to the targeted drug delivery barriers, as there are multiple challenges that must be overcome for successful drug delivery.…”

“…The first aptamer drug, pegaptanib (Macaugen), was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [ 143 ]. Pegaptanib exhibits high affinity and specificity for the VEGF165 isoform, which is overexpressed in AMD and diabetic macular edema [ 63 , 144 ]. By preventing VEGF165 from binding to human umbilical vein endothelial cell receptors, pegaptanib can control neovascularization and, consequently, halt vision loss.…”

Advances in biomaterials for the treatment of retinoblastoma

“…Different systems based on organic and inorganic materials are being examined as drug delivery nanocarriers for the management of retinoblastoma. Researchers have explored the possibility of using polyesters, 275 dendrimers, 276 micelles, 277 liposomes, 278 and inorganic (gold and silver) 279 NPs, among others as advanced drug carriers to the posterior part of the eye. The use of biomaterials for the delivery of therapeutics to the site of retinoblastoma is a rapidly growing research sector as reflected by the increasing number of citations in this discipline (Fig.…”