|
Tokyo: Japanese
scientists have developed a new drug-delivery gel that releases
the drug in response to pressure applied by the patient, Science
Daily reports.
A research group headed by Katsuhiko Ariga, principal
investigator, Kohsaku Kawakami, scientist, and Hironori Izawa, a
post-doctoral researcher (currently assistant professor, Tottori
University) of the NIMS International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) succeeded in developing a gel material
which is capable of releasing drugs in response to pressure
applied.
Drugs are generally taken by oral administration, injection, etc.
However, the conventional methods may cause side effects and
inconvenience. Although stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems
are an effective technique that takes care of such problems, a
special device is necessary in order to apply the stimulus.
The MANA research group developed a gel material envisioning a new
drug administration method in which the drug is released when the
patient applies manual pressure to the gel, reports Science Daily.
Using samples of the gel containing the anti-emetic drug
ondansetron, the researchers confirmed that the drug was released
when stimulus mimicking finger-pressure by the patient was
applied, and found that this effect was maintained for at least
three days.
Oral administration of drugs is difficult for patients
experiencing nausea during cancer chemotherapy. If the material is
introduced under the skin, it is expected to release the drug
simply by pressing or rubbing it.
It will also be possible for patients to administer drugs under
any environment at their own intention.
For relief from cancer pain, hay fever, or asthma, patients may
need to administer drugs quickly. Those are among the situations
when this material offers an extremely convenient new dosing
strategy.
|
Comments
|
Quick links