1. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2009 Nov;6(11):1231-45.

Preclinical models for pulmonary drug delivery.

Fernandes CA, Vanbever R.

Université catholique de Louvain, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Avenue
E Mounier, 73 UCL 73.20 - 1200 Brussels, Belgium.

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.

PMID: 19852680 [PubMed - in process]