Modelling uptake and transport of therapeutic agents through the lymphatic system

The ability of the lymphatic network to absorb large molecules and bypass the first-pass liver metabolism makes it appealing as a delivery system for therapeutic substances. In most cases, the drug is injected into the subcutaneous tissue and must negotiate the tissue space, before being drained via the lymphatics. Tracking the transport of drug molecules through this route is challenging, and computational models of lymphatic drainage can play an important role in assessing the efficacy of a proposed delivery strategy. The three-dimensional computational model we present here of the peripheral lymphatic network and surrounding interstitium is informed by anatomical data, and quantifies the degree to which uptake and transit times are affected by drug particle size, physiological flow rates, and specifics of drug injection.

Automated summary

The lymphatic network is considered an ideal delivery system for therapeutic substances due to its ability to absorb large molecules and bypass liver metabolism. However, tracking drug molecules through this network is challenging, making computational models essential for assessing delivery strategies. This three-dimensional model quantifies the impact of factors such as drug particle size and physiological flow rates on uptake and transit times.