<p>Airway mucus has a crucial role in protecting against inhaled pathogens and regulating water homeostasis, but it can also diminish the efficacy of therapeutic pulmonary delivery. Recent development in inhalable materials&#xa0;and biologics has introduced strategies to modify mucus properties, strengthening mucosal protection, advancing drug delivery and targeting and supporting effective water regulation. In this Review, we thoroughly examine the structure and function of airway mucus, along with the challenges and opportunities it presents for inhaled treatments. We explore new methods that enhance the protective role of mucus through physical reinforcement, pathogen neutralization, muco-trapping and rehydration, as well as strategies that overcome the mucus barrier to improve drug delivery, including physical modulation, mucoadhesive design, muco-penetrating design, mucolytics and active targeting. Finally, we discuss the clinical implications of these promising strategies, emphasizing the need to balance mucosal function with optimized therapeutic delivery. We seek to explore prospective ways to improve inhalation therapies for both infectious and chronic lung diseases by reviewing recent progress in inhalable materials and biologics.</p>

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Inhalable materials and biologics for lung defence and drug delivery

  • Savannah Weihang Zhang,
  • David A. Edwards,
  • Robert Langer,
  • Ke Cheng

摘要

Airway mucus has a crucial role in protecting against inhaled pathogens and regulating water homeostasis, but it can also diminish the efficacy of therapeutic pulmonary delivery. Recent development in inhalable materials and biologics has introduced strategies to modify mucus properties, strengthening mucosal protection, advancing drug delivery and targeting and supporting effective water regulation. In this Review, we thoroughly examine the structure and function of airway mucus, along with the challenges and opportunities it presents for inhaled treatments. We explore new methods that enhance the protective role of mucus through physical reinforcement, pathogen neutralization, muco-trapping and rehydration, as well as strategies that overcome the mucus barrier to improve drug delivery, including physical modulation, mucoadhesive design, muco-penetrating design, mucolytics and active targeting. Finally, we discuss the clinical implications of these promising strategies, emphasizing the need to balance mucosal function with optimized therapeutic delivery. We seek to explore prospective ways to improve inhalation therapies for both infectious and chronic lung diseases by reviewing recent progress in inhalable materials and biologics.