Biocompatible ceramic nanocarrier for drug delivery with high efficiency

Layered double hydroxides, a class of anionic nanoclays, have emerged as drug delivery carriers characterized by an effective uptake mechanism via clathrin-mediated endocytosis and high reservoir capacity. In the present review, the efficacy of an anticancer drug with ceramic nanocarriers, i.e. layered double hydroxides, is discussed in context of the cellular uptake mechanism in cell culture lines and pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies in whole animals. In addition, research results on the biodistribution patterns of only fluorescently labeled layered double hydroxides and the subsequent histopathological analysis are described in detail to assess the biocompatibility of layered double hydroxides in vivo. The determination of relationships between delivery efficiency and toxicity can be useful for the rational development of layered double hydroxides as drug delivery systems. (C) 2009 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.