In vivo safety and particokinetics of inhaled nanomedicines

Nanomedicines for inhalation may have several formulation advantages including improving drug solubility and deposition kinetics. However, there remain many open questions regarding the safety and efficacy of inhaled nanomedicines. Recent studies have shown that drug delivery nanoparticles designed for inhalation therapy and composed of biodegradable, biocompatible materials (e.g. PLGA, solid lipid nanoparticles, cationic and anionic PEG-PLA) may have a reduced toxicity compared to poorly soluble, non-biodegradable nanoparticles. However, the formulation components of drug vehicles may have an impact of nanomedicine toxicity in the lung and must be carefully controlled. Further, understanding the biodistribution kinetics of different nanoparticle materials will be crucial in determining both the safety and efficacy of potential nanomedicines for inhalation therapy. This article explores recent advances in the in vivo safety and particokinetic evaluations of inhaled nanomedicines.