Prodrugs - An Efficient Way to Breach Delivery and Targeting Barriers

Title: Prodrugs - An Efficient Way to Breach Delivery and Targeting Barriers

Volume: 11 Issue: 18

Author(s): Kristiina M. Huttunen and Jarkko Rautio

Affiliation:

Keywords: Aqueous solubility, drug delivery, drug targeting, lipophilicity, permeability, prodrug, drug compounds, clinical trials, pharmacokinetics, tumor cells, watersoluble prodrugs, consequent crystal, fosphenytoin sodium salt, hydroxyl, Nhydroxyguanidines

Abstract: The study of prodrugs that are chemically modified bioreversible derivatives of active drug compounds to alter their undesired properties has been expanded widely during the last decades. Despite the commercial success the prodrugs have afforded, the concept is still quite unknown among many scientist. Furthermore, many scientists regard prodrugs as a pure interest of academic research groups and not as a feasible solution to improve the delivery or targeting properties of new chemical entities, drug candidates failed in clinical trials, or drugs withdrawn from the market. Although there are still unmet needs that require addressing, prodrugs should be seen as fine-tuning tools for the successful drug research and development. This review represents the potential of prodrugs to improve the drug delivery by enhanced aqueous solubility or permeability as well as describes several targeted prodrug strategies.

Cite this article as:

M. Huttunen Kristiina and Rautio Jarkko, Prodrugs - An Efficient Way to Breach Delivery and Targeting Barriers, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 11 (18) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802611797183230