Siva S Kolipaka, Laura A Junqueira, Vivek Garg, Vivek Trivedi, Dennis Douroumis
{"title":"Continuous manufacturing of 3D-printed chewable pediatric gummies by coupling hot melt extrusion with direct extrusion additive manufacturing.","authors":"Siva S Kolipaka, Laura A Junqueira, Vivek Garg, Vivek Trivedi, Dennis Douroumis","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2636173","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2636173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>3D printing has been extensively explored as a novel approach to fabricating customized pharmaceuticals due to its adaptability. In this study, a continuous 3D (3-dimensional) printing platform was developed for the fabrication of chewable, gummy-like pediatric tablets by coupling Hot Melt Extrusion and Direct Extrusion Printing.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>The effects of polymer composition, super disintegrants, and infill density on extrusion, printability, and structural integrity were systematically evaluated. Rheological analysis revealed that optimized inks exhibited stable shear-thinning behavior as low as 1.0x10<sup>5</sup> to 1.0x10<sup>6</sup> mPa/s with increasing shear rates, ensuring smooth extrusion and excellent layer adhesion. <i>In vitro</i> dissolution studies demonstrated that tablet geometry, infill density, and ink composition could be tailored to achieve immediate drug release.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>30% and 50% infill structures provided reduced compressive resistance suitable for soft, chewable tablets and resulted in nearly 90% drug release within 30 min. Sensory assessment confirmed effective taste masking via hydrogen-bonding interactions, and optimized sweetener - flavor ratios ensured palatability.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>3D printing enabled the production of pediatric-friendly, chewable dosage forms with tailored mechanical, dissolution, and sensory properties, supporting personalized medicine and enhanced patient compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1119-1131"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146260477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nanoparticle-based approaches to improve the treatment of middle and external ear infections.","authors":"Anna Jaromin, Ben J Boyd, Marcin Fraczek","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2652575","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2652575","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"953-956"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147535102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah J Chen, Colton D Wayne, Taylor H Jacobs, Gail E Besner
{"title":"Rethinking probiotic delivery: new hope for preventing necrotizing enterocolitis.","authors":"Sarah J Chen, Colton D Wayne, Taylor H Jacobs, Gail E Besner","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2648748","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2648748","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease of the gastrointestinal tract that mainly affects premature newborns, with mortality rates exceeding 50% in the most severe cases. Despite decades of research the disease persists, there is no known cure, and treatment consists of supportive care only. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome has been implicated as a contributing factor to the development of NEC. With a deepening understanding of the therapeutic efficacy of probiotics in reversing intestinal dysbiosis, a potential avenue to prevent this disease has emerged.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Through review of the literature related to probiotics in NEC and novel oral delivery methods for probiotics, we will discuss what is known about preventing NEC with commercially available probiotics. We will discuss the challenges imposed on probiotic therapy by the September 2023 FDA warning on probiotic administration to premature babies. We will also examine novel delivery methods for probiotics that can enhance their beneficial capabilities.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>By obtaining approval for novel oral probiotic delivery technologies including biofilm formation and prebiotic co-ride, the risk of NEC in premature infants could be significantly decreased.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"957-973"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francis J Gilchrist, Sadie Clayton, William D Carroll
{"title":"Saving money but costing lives: the lack of integrated dose counters on pressurised metered dose inhalers.","authors":"Francis J Gilchrist, Sadie Clayton, William D Carroll","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2636180","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2636180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are used to deliver treatment to individuals with respiratory diseases. Whilst the technology within pMDIs has not significantly changed in the last 25 years, some changes in legislation and supply have taken place. These have been driven by pragmatism, cost and most recently concerns about the environmental impact of the propellants used within their manufacture. A major issue affecting patients in most countries, is the large number of pMDIs without an integrated dose counter (IDC). This makes it difficult or impossible for patients to monitor the number of remaining doses.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This article will review how pMDIs work, their environmental impact and the adverse clinical effects of not having an IDC. It will also look at the scale and cost of the issue as well as ways in which individuals can safely assess if their pMDI is empty of medication.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>We conclude there is an urgent need for IDCs on short acting beta agonist (SABA) pMDIs to be made mandatory as this is likely to reduce asthma exacerbations and deaths. Whilst waiting for this to happen, patients should be shown how to weigh their SABA canister to identify when it needs to be replaced.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"989-995"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146260494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Theranostic metallic nanoconjugates for colorectal cancer: targeting strategies, imaging modalities, and translational challenges.","authors":"Raj Kamal, Abhishek Chauhan, Thakur Gurjeet Singh, Sonia Dhiman, Ankit Awasthi","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2648023","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2648023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, with high mortality largely driven by late diagnosis, limited tumor specificity of conventional therapies, and treatment-related toxicities. Innovative strategies are urgently needed to improve diagnostic precision and therapeutic selectivity.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review examines recent advances in metallic nanoparticle (MNP) - based theranostic systems for CRC, with particular emphasis on surface modification, ligand conjugation, tumor-targeting mechanisms, and integrated imaging - therapy platforms. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications from 2010 to 2025. The literature discussed encompasses <i>in vitro</i> studies, preclinical animal models, and emerging translational research, highlighting how physicochemical tuning and biological functionalization influence biodistribution, tumor uptake, and therapeutic response.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Although conjugated MNPs demonstrate substantial promise for image-guided and tumor-responsive therapy, their clinical translation remains constrained by biological heterogeneity, manufacturing complexity, regulatory uncertainty, and insufficient long-term safety data. Future progress will depend on simplified nanoplatform designs, clinically relevant disease models, and integration of real-time diagnostic feedback. Rather than replacing established treatments, MNP-based theranostics are most likely to emerge as precision adjuncts in selected CRC settings, shaping more adaptive and data-driven therapeutic paradigms.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1073-1090"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147501263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wei Jiang, Huan Tang, Yan Hu, Jiayi Sun, Zhangrong Lou, Peng Qu, Qiang Liu
{"title":"Immunomodulatory strategies and targeted delivery systems in atherosclerosis therapy.","authors":"Wei Jiang, Huan Tang, Yan Hu, Jiayi Sun, Zhangrong Lou, Peng Qu, Qiang Liu","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2636761","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2636761","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease where lipid-lowering therapy alone leaves 30-40% residual cardiovascular risk, underscoring the need for immunomodulatory interventions.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review synthesizes literature (1990-2024) on AS immunopathology and targeted nanomedicine.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Key mechanisms include dysregulated macrophage polarization (M1/M2 imbalance), Th1/Treg dysfunction, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and NETosis. Immunomodulatory strategies are shifting from broad immunosuppression toward subset-specific precision intervention - targeting mitochondrial fission (DRP1), ANGPTL3, or epigenetic regulators (SET7). Concurrently, nanodelivery systems have evolved from single-ligand targeting to smart, biomimetic platforms (e.g. VLA-4/VCAM-1 dual-targeting, ROS-responsive release) that enhance spatiotemporal precision. Emerging frontiers include immunometabolic crosstalk (cholesterol crystals activating cGAS-STING) and interventions disrupting immune cell communication (LNP-delivered NLRP3 siRNA, PAD4 inhibitors). Major challenges persist - suboptimal plaque penetration, hepatic nanocarrier accumulation, and risks of systemic immunosuppression. Future breakthroughs require dual-modal platforms integrating immunomodulation with metabolic reprogramming, and multi-omics-guided personalized systems that leverage spatial transcriptomics to tailor delivery to patient-specific inflammatory niches. Bridging the gap between mechanistic elegance and clinical efficacy demands humanized models and flexible trial designs.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1057-1072"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147273824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maya Samman, Hannah Khan, Aamir A Aziz, Riya Patel, Arshad M Khanani
{"title":"An update on the port delivery system with ranibizumab for retinal diseases.","authors":"Maya Samman, Hannah Khan, Aamir A Aziz, Riya Patel, Arshad M Khanani","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2652029","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2652029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and diabetic macular edema (DME) are among the leading causes of irreversible vision loss globally. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapeutics have revolutionized the treatment and management of retinal vascular diseases. Management of these retinal diseases is highly individualized, with treatment intervals ranging from 4 to 16 weeks. The port-delivery system (PDS) with ranibizumab is a refillable implant that has demonstrated safety and efficacy while also improving treatment burden by decreasing the need for frequent injections.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Multiple FDA-approved therapeutics are available to physicians for treating and managing retinal diseases. The ultimate goal is to achieve optimal visual and anatomic outcomes while also ensuring individualized treatment. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and pharmaceutical companies' websites from 2005 to December 2025 to review clinical data, highlight the utility of the PDS, and detail the improved structure following the voluntary class III recall.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The PDS provides a medium to maintain treatment of retinal vascular disease over an extended period of time. Although physicians may feel hesitant to implant the device, refinements in surgical technique and the refill-exchange procedure, along with improvements to the device, may encourage more clinical uptake of PDS in appropriate patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1107-1117"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147625285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anamika Kushwaha, Lalit Goswami, Nazanin Amiryaghoubi, Beom Soo Kim
{"title":"Recent advances in microneedle technology in transdermal drug delivery systems.","authors":"Anamika Kushwaha, Lalit Goswami, Nazanin Amiryaghoubi, Beom Soo Kim","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2642108","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2642108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDs) offer significant advantages over traditional drug administration routes (oral and parenteral); however, the barrier function of the stratum corneum limits its application to compounds possessing the obligatory physicochemical characteristics. To overcome the limitations of TDD, micro-sized needles can be used. Microneedles (MN), a non-invasive drug delivery system, can disrupt the skin's integrity, generating microchannels that facilitate the efficient infusion of drugs.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>The review highlights the designing, (bio)materials utilized, classification, fabrication, optimization, and characterization of microneedles for TDDs application. The application of microneedles for vaccination, sustained transdermal delivery, biologics, targeted drug delivery, cosmetics, and advanced therapeutic applications are explored. The involvement of computational modeling and AI-driven approaches, 3D printing, etc. is included. The critical challenges in microneedle development, e.g., dimensional concerns, safety, adequacy, toxicity, scalability, regulatory, and sustainability, are also covered.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Developments in the MN technology have extended the potential of the transdermal drug delivery system, holding potential to transform areas like immunization, chronic disease treatment, pain management, and real-time biomonitoring. In the upcoming decade, drug delivery procedures are expected to prioritize people's ease and self-supervision; however, supervisory synchronization, maneuver calibration, and sustained novelty will be indispensable for MNs to develop as a standard of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"997-1018"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147373703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Topical film-forming systems for antifungal delivery: emerging strategies and in-depth evaluation.","authors":"Siddhi Rawool, Manigandan Thevar, Supriya Shidhaye, Mangal Nagarsenker","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2631774","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2631774","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Topical film-forming systems (FFSs) are a promising approach for antifungal therapy. After application, the solvent evaporates, leaving a thin polymeric film on the skin. This film acts as a drug reservoir, increasing residence time, improving patient comfort, and offering greater convenience compared with conventional creams and gels.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Examples of patented antifungal FFSs and available clinical trial data are included to illustrate translational potential. This review then outlines different types of FFSs such as sprays, solutions, gels, and emulgels. Evaluation methods, including mechanical strength, adhesion, substantivity, in vitro release testing (IVRT), in vitro permeation testing (IVPT) and antifungal activity, are also described. Searches of Google Scholar and PubMed were undertaken to gather the literature included in this review.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>FFSs show superior benefits in treating superficial fungal infections by enhancing substantivity, providing sustained drug delivery, and improving adherence. Products such as single-application terbinafine films and novel nanocarrier - FFS hybrids demonstrate this potential. However, further standardized IVRT/IVPT clinical validation methods are needed to support wider adoption and ensure translation of laboratory findings into clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"893-907"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146204498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical hurdles for curcumin and piperine nanoparticles in prostate cancer treatment: a bridge too far or a path to clinical reality?","authors":"Jibira Yakubu, Oya Tagit, Amit V Pandey","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2619094","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2026.2619094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Prostate cancer (PC) treatment is limited by resistance mechanisms and cumulative toxicities, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. While curcumin and piperine exhibit potent anticancer properties, their clinical utility is severely compromised by poor bioavailability and rapid metabolism.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review critically analyzes the preclinical and clinical landscape of curcumin and piperine nanoformulations (CPN) for the treatment of PC. We utilized PubMed and Scopus (2000-2025) to evaluate molecular mechanisms, focusing on CYP17A1 inhibition, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, and ferroptosis. The report examines the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers, including PLGA and liposomes, and addresses translational barriers such as the heterogeneity of the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, stromal density, and risks associated with piperine-mediated drug - drug interactions.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>While nano-encapsulation enhances the therapeutic index of curcumin, clinical translation remains stalled by a reliance on passive targeting and insufficient manufacturing scalability. Future success depends on shifting from 'beaker' synthesis to microfluidic production (Quality by Design) and adopting active targeting (e.g. PSMA-directed delivery) to penetrate the prostate stroma. Without these strategic pivots and biomarker-driven trials, CPNs risk remaining an academic curiosity rather than evolving into a viable clinical intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"781-796"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145994656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}