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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Sep 28.
Published in final edited form as: J Control Release. 2014 Apr 18;190:15–28. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.03.053

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Schematics and brief descriptions of the 7 highlighted DDS: (i) microparticle-based depot formulations, (ii) nanoparticle-based cancer drugs, (iii) transdermal systems (patches highlighted here), (iv) oral drug delivery systems (OROS® highlighted here), (v) pulmonary drug delivery systems (inhalers highlighted here), (vi) implants and (vii) antibody-drug conjugates.

Microparticle-based depot systems comprise formulations of drugs, peptides, or proteins encapsulated in biodegradable polymeric particles. These systems allow for the sustained and controlled release of therapeutics over a long period of time, allowing for a reduced number of treatments.

Nanoparticles are drug carriers that are capable of encapsulating and protecting drugs from rapid degradation in vivo, improving both targeting and circulation profiles via surface modification with application-specific ligands, and controlling the rate of drug release from the particle.

Transdermal patches contain a backing layer that prevents drug leakage, a reservoir to store the drug, a rate controlling layer that controls drug release and an adhesive layer that attaches to the skin. Transdermal patches allow for a painless, patient-compliant interface to facilitate systemic administration of drugs.

OROS® technology is an osmotically driven system that controls the rate of drug release via the design of the osmotic pump and the osmotic properties of the drug. OROS® allows for the controlled release of therapeutics, via the oral route, which decreases dosing frequencey and side effects.

Inhalers are compact devices that are used to store drug formulations which can be delivered as inhalable aerosolized sprays. Inhalers permit rapid absorption of drugs through the lungs, control over drug delivery via fixed doses, and the convenience of self-administration.

Implants are devices that either passively, through material properties, or actively, through various actuation methods, control drug release rates. Implants allow for long-term delivery of therapeutics, often reducing the number of invasive procedures required to maintain similar therapeutic effect.

Antibody drug conjugates are chemical conjugates of monoclonal antibodies and cytotoxic agents. Antibodies allow targeted delivery of highly potent cytotoxic drugs, thereby reducing systemic toxicity.