Funke Balogun*
Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Received: 02-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. dd-25-171107; Editor Assigned: 04-Jun-2025, Pre QC No. dd-25-171107; Reviewed: 18-Jun-2025, QC No. dd-25-171107; Revised: 23-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. dd-25-171107; Published: 30-Jun-2025, DOI:10.4172/resrevdrugdeliv.9.2.002
Citation: Funke Balogun, Pulmonary Drug Delivery: Harnessing the Lungs for Therapeutics. Res Rev Drug Deliv. 2025;9.005.
Copyright: © 2025 Funke Balogun, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and sources are credited.
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Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a vital approach in modern medicine, exploiting the lungs not only as a site for treating respiratory diseases but also as a gateway for systemic drug administration. The lungs provide a unique route due to their large surface area, thin epithelial barrier, rich blood supply, and avoidance of first-pass metabolism. Traditionally used for managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary delivery is now being explored for a broader range of therapies, including systemic delivery of peptides, proteins, vaccines, and even gene-based treatments. Its potential to improve bioavailability, enable rapid onset of action, and enhance patient compliance makes pulmonary delivery a significant area of research and clinical application [1].
Pulmonary delivery systems rely on specialized devices and formulations that enable drugs to reach the lower respiratory tract effectively. Inhalation devices are central to this process, with three primary types dominating clinical use: metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and nebulizers [2]. Each has unique advantages—MDIs provide portability, DPIs eliminate the need for propellants, and nebulizers are especially useful for pediatric and elderly patients who may have difficulty coordinating inhalation.
Formulation plays a crucial role in ensuring successful pulmonary delivery. Drugs must be engineered into particles small enough (1–5 microns) to reach the alveolar region, where absorption is most efficient. Nanoparticles and liposomal formulations are increasingly being explored to improve solubility, stability, and sustained release. These advanced carriers can also be designed for targeted delivery, reducing systemic side effects while enhancing local efficacy [3].
Beyond respiratory diseases, pulmonary delivery is expanding into systemic therapy. The lungs’ vast absorptive surface allows for rapid uptake of macromolecules like insulin, making inhaled insulin an alternative for diabetes management. Similarly, pulmonary vaccines are under development, offering needle-free immunization with strong mucosal and systemic immune responses [4].
In oncology, inhaled chemotherapeutics are being investigated to concentrate drugs directly at lung tumor sites, reducing systemic toxicity. Gene therapy is another frontier, with inhalable formulations designed to deliver nucleic acids for treating genetic lung disorders such as cystic fibrosis [5].
Pulmonary drug delivery has evolved from a niche therapy for respiratory illnesses to a versatile platform with systemic applications. Its unique advantages—rapid absorption, high bioavailability, and patient-friendly administration—make it a powerful alternative to traditional drug delivery routes. Advances in device engineering, nanotechnology, and biomolecular formulations are expanding its reach to areas such as diabetes, cancer, vaccination, and gene therapy. While technical, clinical, and regulatory challenges remain, ongoing innovations hold the potential to unlock the full capabilities of pulmonary delivery. As research progresses, this method could redefine how drugs are administered, improving both treatment effectiveness and patient quality of life [6].
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