MICROCAPSULES AND NANOCAPSULES FOR THE TRANSMUCOSAL DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS

摘要

The invention relates to compositions and methods for the administration of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents such as polypeptides to a mammal, and in particular, compositions suitable for oral administration. The invention provides polymeric particles, and in particular, nano/microparticles such as, but not limited to, microspheres and nanospheres, as well as methods of synthesizing them. The invention also provides methods of increasing the serum concentration of a therapeutic agent such as a polypeptide by orally administering polymeric particles comprising the therapeutic agent. The compositions of the invention allow the absorption of polypeptides through intestinal mucosa and intestinal cells and into the bloodstream of a mammal. The invention further provides a method of treating type II diabetes through the oral administration of compositions comprising insulin and also provides a related glucose-responsive insulin delivery system.