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Review
. 2019 Nov-Dec:151-152:44-55.
doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.08.008. Epub 2019 Sep 5.

Pharmacokinetics of nanotechnology-based formulations in pediatric populations

Venkata K Yellepeddi  1 , Andrea Joseph  2 , Elizabeth Nance  3
Affiliations
Review

Pharmacokinetics of nanotechnology-based formulations in pediatric populations

Venkata K Yellepeddi et al. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2019 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

The development of therapeutics for pediatric use has advanced in the last few decades. However, off-label use of adult medications in pediatrics remains a significant clinical problem. Furthermore, the development of therapeutics for pediatrics is challenged by the lack of pharmacokinetic (PK) data in the pediatric population. To promote the development of therapeutics for pediatrics, the United States Pediatric Formulation Initiative recommended the investigation of nanotechnology-based delivery systems. Therefore, in this review, we provided comprehensive information on the PK of nanotechnology-based formulations from preclinical and clinical studies in pediatrics. Specifically, we discuss the relationship between formulation parameters of nanoformulations and PK of the encapsulated drug in the context of pediatrics. We review nanoformulations that include dendrimers, liposomes, polymeric long-acting injectables (LAIs), nanocrystals, inorganic nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, and protein nanoparticles. In addition, we describe the importance and need of PK modeling and simulation approaches used in predicting PK of nanoformulations for pediatric applications.

Keywords: Half-life; Maturation; Modeling and simulation; Nanotechnology; Ontogeny; Pediatrics; Pharmacokinetics.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Developmental changes across the pediatric age range from premature infant (<37 weeks gestation) to child/adolescent (2-16 years of age). Changes in blood and body composition, and stomach, liver, kidney, heart, and lung physiology are summarized.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
PK of PAMAM dendrimers in pediatric models. A. Biodistribution of PAMAM dendrimer (G4-OH)-Cy5 conjugates in major organs, plasma, and urine of neonatal rabbits. B. Biodistribution of 125I radiolabeled dendrimers G5-OH, G6-OH, G7-OH in 6–8-week-old mice. Both figures are obtained with permission from references [96] and [98].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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