Incorrect dosing and incorrect timing of drug administration are two huge and very costly problems. The cost? Not just in money: hundreds of thousands of deaths and hospitalizations.
The solution could be PULSED technology, developed by the researchers Kevin McHugh e Tyler Graf. The research was published in Advanced Materials (I link it to you here).
How does it work?
PULSED technology uses high-resolution 3D printing and soft lithography to create microparticles of a polymer called PLGA. These microparticles are able to contain drugs and release them gradually over time, from 10 days up to over a month (almost five weeks).
PULSED can be tailored to deliver a constant amount of drug into the patient's body throughout the treatment. It can improve any kind of treatment.
Possible applications
The benefits could be particularly relevant for patients with chronic diseases, who often require complex and prolonged therapies.
Another area where PULSED technology could make a difference is in access to vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. Often, in these areas, healthcare infrastructure is less efficient, and securing multiple doses of vaccines can be difficult. With a single shot capable of providing protection for months, vaccination coverage could increase, reducing the risk of epidemics and improving global health.
Furthermore, the application of this technology in chemotherapy it could lead to more effective and less toxic treatments for cancer patients. The ability to concentrate high doses of drugs directly into the tumor area, while limiting side effects on the rest of the body, could represent a significant advance in the fight against cancer.
One step closer to smart medicines and treatments
PULSED technology is still in a development phase: further studies and experiments may be needed before it can be implemented on a large scale. It will be crucial to consider the costs of manufacturing and distributing microparticles, so as to ensure equitable access to treatments for all patients, regardless of income or geographic location.
If researchers succeed, we will say goodbye to multiple-dose drugs and complicated therapies in the near future. This innovative approach could guarantee months of coverage and effective treatments.
Easier life for patients, and lower costs for the healthcare system.
