Revolutionizing Drug Delivery: Targeted Approaches and Innovations for Effective Treatment

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery, also referred to as intelligent drug delivery, is a therapeutic approach that aims to enhance drug concentration in specific regions of the body relative to others. There are two strategies employed to target drugs to specific organs or tissues: passive targeting and active targeting. Drug delivery vehicles are utilized to transport the medication to the desired location. An ideal drug delivery vehicle should have the ability to overcome barriers such as the blood-brain barrier. Conventional drug delivery systems distribute drugs throughout the body via the bloodstream, resulting in only a small fraction of the drug reaching the affected organ. Smart drug delivery focuses on delivering the drug to the absorption site while minimizing its distribution in other tissues. This approach enhances effectiveness and reduces side effects by evading the body’s defense mechanisms and non-specific distribution. When designing a targeted drug delivery system, various factors such as drug characteristics, side effects, administration route, target site, and the specific disease must be taken into consideration.