INEB RECENT PUBLICATIONS: Polymer-based nanocarriers for vaginal drug delivery

INEB researchers recently published an article in the Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, available online since 27 December 2014. The article is entitled "Polymer-based nanocarriers for vaginal drug delivery" and is authored by José das Neves, Rute Nunes, Alexandra Machado, Bruno Sarmento.

Nanosystems of polymeric nature have been investigated over the last years as vaginal drug delivery carriers and their interactions with mucosal fluids and tissues, as well as genital tract biodistribution, are now starting to be better understood. While different applications have been envisioned, most of the current research is focusing in the development of drug nanocarriers with the potential to inhibit the vaginal transmission of HIV upon sexual intercourse. Our group at INEB has been pioneer in this last application and is widely recognized for its leading research. This article discusses our work and that of others, focusing its discussion on the potential and perils of polymer-based nanocarriers for the vaginal administration of different pharmacologically active molecules.