Overview
![](/assets/images/picto-drapeau-france-3a76576a5d60a512053b4612ab58dae5.png)
ABSTRACT
Nanomedicine opens new opportunities in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, thanks to the development of nanotechnologies. The design of nanoparticular systems has allowed for a better control of the release of active principles. Among the various carriers developed, lipid nanocarriers, based on nanoemulsions are extremely promising for the transportation of lipophilic molecules. Due to their lipidic nature they are biocompatible and biodegradable, and controlling the physical state of lipids allows for modulating their encapsulation and release properties.
Read this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.
Read the articleAUTHORS
-
Anne-Claude COUFFIN: Engineer from ENSC Montpellier - Doctorate from the University of Montpellier II - Research engineer at CEA-Léti, in the department of technologies for biology and health
-
Thomas DELMAS: ESPCI engineer - Doctorate from Pierre et Marie Curie University (Paris VI) - Research engineer at CAPSUM
INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnologies dedicated to medical applications are today defined under the term "nanomedicine". This discipline exploits the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of materials on the nanometric scale, which often differ from those observed on the micro- or macroscopic scale. Nanomedicine offers new hope for the prevention, early and reliable diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. The three main areas of application for nanomedicine are in vitro or in vivo diagnosis, therapy and regenerative medicine. This science was born over 40 years ago, even though it was not called nanomedicine, with Bangham's discovery of liposomes. Its development has benefited from nanotechnology concepts involving multidisciplinary research fields such as chemistry (organic, inorganic and polymeric), physical chemistry and pharmaceutical and medical sciences (pharmacists and clinicians).
When it comes to delivering active ingredients, the nanotechnologies developed must meet the requirements of vectorization, i.e. the need for better orientation of active ingredients towards their biological site of action, in order to increase efficacy and reduce toxicity. To meet this challenge, we are developing nanometric colloidal particulate systems resulting from the self-assembly of biodegradable molecules. Acting as cargo vessels for the transport, delivery and targeting of active ingredients, they are often referred to as nanovectors, nanocargos and, more recently, as "nanomedicines". Today, there are some 30 approved nanomedicines in the U.S., and more than 100 clinical trials involving nano-objects worldwide.
Nanoparticles used in nanomedicine can be divided into two main families: organic nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles. Among organic nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles (liposomes) were the first to be developed, as they are composed of natural lipids already present in large quantities in the body, making them biocompatible and biodegradable. Taking advantage of this similarity with the living environment, a category of lipid systems has been developed and will be the subject of this article.
The purpose of this file is to present :
the various lipid systems developed in research and clinical practice;
-
lipid nanoemulsions by describing their manufacturing methods, as well as their formulation and stability ranges;
the main parameters governing their encapsulation/loading properties for molecules of diagnostic or therapeutic interest, as well as their interaction behavior with the biological environment;
examples of biomedical applications in oral and parenteral drug delivery, and in medical imaging....
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
![](/assets/images/logo-eti-286623ed91fa802ce039246e516e5852.png)
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
KEYWORDS
medicine |
CAN BE ALSO FOUND IN:
This article is included in
Drugs and pharmaceuticals
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Lipid vectors as nanomedicines
Bibliography
Digital media
CNRS sagascience: vectorization file http://www.cnrs.fr/cw/dossiers/dosnano/decouv/vecto/vecto.htm
Websites
NANOSAFE: use and production of nanomaterials http://www.nanosafe.org
Events
World Congress on Emulsion. International trade fair on fundamental and applied aspects of emulsions, held every 4 years at the Palais des Congrès in Lyon, France. http://www.cme-emulsion.com
PharmSciFair. International trade fair on fundamental and applied aspects of pharmaceutical sciences, held every 2 years in a European city....
Standards and norms
European Technological Platform for Nanomedecine, Nanotechnology for Health: Vision paper and basis for a strategic research agenda for nanomedecine, ETPN, 2005, European Commission Publication Office, Brussels
Cancer Nanotechnology Plan: a strategic initiative to transform clinical oncology and basic research through the direct application of nanotechnology, NIOH, National Cancer Institute,...
Regulations
Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé ANSM: an agency whose mission is to guarantee the safety of healthcare products throughout their life cycle. It issues marketing authorizations for drugs (AMM) and clinical trial authorizations. http://ansm.sante.fr
US Food and Drug Administration: federal agency regulating...
Patents
Recent advances and patents on Solid Lipid nanoparticles. in Recent patent on drug delivery and formulation, 2008, 2, 120-135
Process for producing nano-emulsions. WO/2008/104717
Encapsulation of lipophilic or amphiphilic therapeutic agents in nanoemulsions. WO/2010/018223
Lipid nanocapsules, preparation method and use as medicine. WO/2001/064328...
Directory
Manufacturers – Suppliers – Distributors (non-exhaustive list)
GEA Niro Soavi, suppliers of high-pressure homogenizers http://www.nirosoavi.com
Microfluidics Corporation, suppliers of microfluidic homogenizers http://www.microfluidicscorp.com
...Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
![](/assets/images/logo-eti-286623ed91fa802ce039246e516e5852.png)
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference