Chapter 2 - Nanopharmacokinetics: routes of administration and predictive models for nanopharmacokinetics

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are relatively small size in diameter in the nanorange 1–1000nm are some of the indispensable tools in therapy, monitoring and imaging disease. However, “engineered” NPs have obtained significant attention due to their versatility. It is difficult yet important to understand the correct mode of administration, mechanism and bio-distribution of NPs for theranostics applications. In the formulation of drug delivery systems one of the biggest tasks is accomplishing targeted/specific drug delivery, regulating drug release and avoiding opsonization. Thus, a different mechanism of drug targeting and bioavailability are discussed. Also, different routes of nanocarrier administration are discussed to provide better understanding of the biological and other barriers and their effect on drug carrying. The overall aim of this chapter is to facilitate straightforward insight of NPs routes of administration, challenges associated with targeted delivery methods and pharmacokinetics to understand and utilize them better for future applications.