Drug carrier

Drug carriers are biocompatible vehicles designed to transport pharmaceutical compounds within the body to achieve therapeutic effects. They serve as a crucial component in modern drug delivery systems, enhancing drug efficacy while minimizing side effects[5]. These carriers can improve pharmacokinetics, provide controlled release, increase drug solubility, enable targeted delivery to specific tissues or cells, and protect drugs from degradation[3][4]. The design and selection of drug carriers depend on the specific therapeutic application, drug properties, and desired delivery route. Carriers can be engineered to respond to various stimuli such as pH changes, enzymatic activity, or redox conditions, allowing for precise control over drug release at the target site[7][10]. Recent advances in formulation technologies have enabled control over not just material selection and surface chemistry but also the overall geometry and plasticity of drug carriers, which can significantly impact their ability to overcome biological barriers[7].

Other names

Drug delivery systemDrug delivery vehicleDrug delivery carrier

Encapsulation of drugs within carrier structures; Surface coupling of drugs to carriers; Controlled release through diffusion; Triggered release by environmental stimuli (pH, enzymes, glutathione); Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for tumor targeting; Ligand-directed targeting to specific tissues; Protection from enzymatic degradation