TARGETING OF DRUGS AND DRUG CARRIERS WITHIN THE CARDIOVASCULAR-SYSTEM

The targeting of pharmaceuticals within the cardiovascular system is reviewed. The delivery of both diagnostic and therapeutic agents is discussed with the use of different soluble and particulate carriers, including liposomes, microspheres, and cells. Targeting of pharmaceuticals to pathological areas of the vascular bed involves diagnostics and treatment of thromboses, atherosclerosis, and different malignancies, Special emphasis is put on the targeted diagnostics (visualization) of thromboses and targeted thrombolytic therapy. Antibody-mediated and magnetically driven delivery of thrombolytic enzymes is discussed. Targeting of atherosclerotic lesions with specific antibody-based diagnostic preparations is considered. The interaction of particulate carriers (liposomes) with endothelial cells is analyzed. Lung-targeted delivery can be performed via both respiratory and circulatory routes. A brief description of aerosolized preparations is presented. Drug and carrier targeting to lung-specific antigens is described with a special emphasis on lung malignancy targeting. Principal systems for drug targeting to compromised myocardium are reviewed, with a primary impact on those based on anti-cardiac myosin antibodies, Targeted visualization of myocardial infarction and myocarditis is discussed, Possible use of liposomes, immunoliposomes and long-circulating (immuno)liposomes for targeting of pharmaceuticals to the heart is also considered.