Recent advances in the oral delivery of biologies

摘要

Patients tend to prefer taking medicines orally because it is generally more convenient; however, oral administration is not currently possible for biologies. The physiological role of the gastrointestinal tract presents multiple barriers that limit the systemic absorption of complex macromolecules after ingestion. Biologies are not only highly sensitive to the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract, but, as very large molecules, their permeability across the intestinal mucosa is extremely poor. Research in the area of oral delivery of biologies has a long and rich history, and the proliferation of biologies in recent decades has further accelerated research activity. This article summarises the main physiological barriers to oral delivery of biologies and discusses different research strategies to enable, or improve, their oral delivery. The discussion extends to advantages and limitations of these drug delivery strategies and provides perspectives on the potential for clinical translation and the future of this field.