Development and comparative characterisation of novel surface decorated core/shell type nanoparticles for selective delivery of peptide and protein based drug candidates
Peptides and proteins represent a unique group of drug candidates tempered by certain limitations: short lifetime due to enzymatic degradation and immune response, poor bioavailability, low permeability etc. Novel nanoencapsulation strategies, mainly employing biodegradable and polymeric carriers allow the modulation of pharmacokinetic properties and target specificity of peptide and protein derivatives. The nanoparticles can be produced with various methods (polymerisation, nanoprecipitation, self-assembly etc.) to achieve new multifunctional constructs. These targeted core/shell type nanoparticle carriers with responsive (smart) polymers provide protection and controlled release of active substances, hydrophilic peptides and peptide conjugates, while branched polymer shell structures assure enhanced membrane permeability, colloidal stability and surface biocompatibility.
Éva Kiss, Béla Iván, Szilvia Bősze