Drug Targeting of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases by Biomolecules

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Antunes, JC (Author) Other; Seabra, CL (Author) Other; Domingues, JM (Author) Other; Teixeira, MO (Author) Other; Nunes, C (Author) Other; Costa Lima, SA (Author) Other; Homem, NC (Author) Other; Salette Reis (Author) FFUP; Amorim, MTP (Author) Other; Felgueiras, HP (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Nanomaterials

Vol. 11

Final page: 2035

ISSN: 2079-4991

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-9DV

DOI: 10.3390/nano11082035

Abstract (EN): Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disabling, destructive and incurable immune-mediated inflammatory diseases comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), disorders that are highly prevalent worldwide and demand a large investment in healthcare. A persistent inflammatory state enables the dysfunction and destruction of healthy tissue, hindering the initiation and endurance of wound healing. Current treatments are ineffective at counteracting disease progression. Further, increased risk of serious side effects, other comorbidities and/or opportunistic infections highlight the need for effective treatment options. Gut microbiota, the key to preserving a healthy state, may, alternatively, increase a patient's susceptibility to IBD onset and development given a relevant bacterial dysbiosis. Hence, the main goal of this review is to showcase the main conventional and emerging therapies for IBD, including microbiota-inspired untargeted and targeted approaches (such as phage therapy) to infection control. Special recognition is given to existing targeted strategies with biologics (via monoclonal antibodies, small molecules and nucleic acids) and stimuli-responsive (pH-, enzyme- and reactive oxygen species-triggered release), polymer-based nanomedicine that is specifically directed towards the regulation of inflammation overload (with some nanosystems additionally functionalized with carbohydrates or peptides directed towards M1-macrophages). The overall goal is to restore gut balance and decrease IBD's societal impact.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 25