How Do Smart Drug Delivery Systems Minimize Toxicity?
Smart drug delivery systems can minimize toxicity through several mechanisms:
Targeted Delivery: By specifically targeting diseased cells or tissues, these systems limit the exposure of healthy tissues to toxic drugs. For example, nanoparticles can be engineered to recognize and bind to cancer cells, delivering chemotherapy directly to the tumor site. Controlled Release: These systems can provide a controlled release of drugs over time, maintaining therapeutic levels while avoiding toxic peaks often seen with conventional dosing. Stimuli-Responsive Systems: These are designed to release drugs in response to specific triggers in the body, such as changes in pH or temperature, ensuring that the drug is activated only in the target environment.
