Recent developments in liposomes, microparticles and nanoparticles for protein and peptide drug delivery

Proteins and peptides are increasingly recognized as potential leads for the development of new therapeutics for a variety of human ailments. Due to their relatively specific mode of action, proteins and peptides can be administered at relatively low doses for therapeutic effects. As natural biological products, these low doses reduce the risk otherwise Caused by other small molecular drugs or larger charged molecules. Unfortunately, their therapeutic potential and clinical application is frequently hampered by various obstacles to their successful delivery. This review discusses the recent developments in the fields of liposome, microparticle and nanoparticle pertinent to protein and peptide delivery covering those systems tested and/or validated in vivo. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.