TARGETING OF DRUGS AND DRUG CARRIERS WITHIN THE CARDIOVASCULAR-SYSTEM

The targeting of pharmaceuticals within the cardiovascular system is r eviewed. The delivery of both diagnostic and therapeutic agents is dis cussed with the use of different soluble and particulate carriers, inc luding liposomes, microspheres, and cells. Targeting of pharmaceutical s to pathological areas of the vascular bed involves diagnostics and t reatment of thromboses, atherosclerosis, and different malignancies, S pecial emphasis is put on the targeted diagnostics (visualization) of thromboses and targeted thrombolytic therapy. Antibody-mediated and ma gnetically driven delivery of thrombolytic enzymes is discussed. Targe ting of atherosclerotic lesions with specific antibody-based diagnosti c 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 carrie r targeting to lung-specific antigens is described with a special emph asis on lung malignancy targeting. Principal systems for drug targetin g to compromised myocardium are reviewed, with a primary impact on tho se based on anti-cardiac myosin antibodies, Targeted visualization of myocardial infarction and myocarditis is discussed, Possible use of li posomes, immunoliposomes and long-circulating (immuno)liposomes for ta rgeting of pharmaceuticals to the heart is also considered.