Preclinical models for pulmonary drug delivery

Abstract

Background: The lung comprises an interesting route of administration not only for topical drugs but also for systemically acting drugs. Over the last years, several models have been developed in order to study the efficacy and safety of pulmonary drug delivery. Objective: This review describes relevant drug delivery models for preclinical evaluation of inhaled drug products. Methods: Epithelial cell culture models, the isolated perfused lung and in vivo models are reviewed. The suitability and limitations of each method are discussed. This review is mostly based on publications from the last 10 years. Results/conclusion: Cell cultures are ideal models to compare transport rates of molecules and to study their mechanisms of transepithelial transport. Yet the most complete assessment of pulmonary drug delivery including delivery efficacy and safety remains provided by studies performed in vivo in animal models.