. 2016 Jan 11;12(4):1056–1069. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1117714

Table 5.

Summary of the main advantages and disadvantages of PLGA-based particulate vaccine delivery systems.

Advantages	Disadvantages
• PLGA polymers are biodegradable, widely available and approved by regulatory agencies such as FDA • PLGA particles for delivery of several different agents are on the market • PLGA particles can be administered via various routes • PLGA particles may decrease toxicity of vaccine components • Particle size, surface and/or release characteristics can be tailored • PLGA particles allow controlled Ag release • PLGA particles protect Ag from degradation and elimination • PLGA particles enhance Ag uptake by APCs by mimicking size and shape of pathogens • PLGA particles enhance and prolong Ag cross-presentation efficiency • PLGA particles allow concomitant delivery of multiple vaccine components • Large surface area and surface functional groups allow conjugating of targeting moieties • PLGA particles may lead to Ag dose sparing	• Negative charge of PLGA particles is disadvantageous for particle uptake • PLGA particle preparation process must be tailored to the properties of the Ag • PLGA particles cannot be sterile filtered • Ag degradation may occur during preparation, storage and release • Ag release is often incomplete • Particle aggregation may occur • Particle size may limit crossing of biological barriers

Advantages

Disadvantages

• PLGA polymers are biodegradable, widely available and approved by regulatory agencies such as FDA • PLGA particles for delivery of several different agents are on the market • PLGA particles can be administered via various routes • PLGA particles may decrease toxicity of vaccine components • Particle size, surface and/or release characteristics can be tailored • PLGA particles allow controlled Ag release • PLGA particles protect Ag from degradation and elimination • PLGA particles enhance Ag uptake by APCs by mimicking size and shape of pathogens • PLGA particles enhance and prolong Ag cross-presentation efficiency • PLGA particles allow concomitant delivery of multiple vaccine components • Large surface area and surface functional groups allow conjugating of targeting moieties • PLGA particles may lead to Ag dose sparing

• Negative charge of PLGA particles is disadvantageous for particle uptake • PLGA particle preparation process must be tailored to the properties of the Ag • PLGA particles cannot be sterile filtered • Ag degradation may occur during preparation, storage and release • Ag release is often incomplete • Particle aggregation may occur • Particle size may limit crossing of biological barriers