Strategic approaches for overcoming peptide and protein instability within biodegradable nano- and microparticles

This paper reviews the major factors that are closely involved in peptide and protein degradation during the preparation of biodegradable nano- and microparticles. The various means usually employed for overcoming these obstacles are described, in order to bring to the fore the strategies for protein stabilization. Both processing and formulation parameters can be modified and are distinctly considered from a strategic point of view. We describe how partial or full protein stability retention within the carriers and during drug release might be achieved by individual or combined optimized strategies. Additionally, problems commonly encountered during protein quantification, stability determination and release are briefly reviewed. Artefacts that might occur during sampling and analytical procedures and which might hinder critical interpretation of results are discussed. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.