Targeted drug delivery to the retinal pigment epithelium: Untapped therapeutic potential for retinal diseases

Marilena Bohley; Andrea E Dillinger; Ernst R Tamm; Achim Goepferich

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.024

Targeted drug delivery to the retinal pigment epithelium: Untapped therapeutic potential for retinal diseases

Drug Discov Today. 2022 Sep;27(9):2497-2509. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.024. Epub 2022 May 30.

Authors

Marilena Bohley¹, Andrea E Dillinger², Ernst R Tamm², Achim Goepferich³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: marilena.bohley@chemie.uni-regensburg.de.
² Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
³ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.

PMID: 35654389
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.024

Abstract

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a crucial part in sight-threatening diseases. In this review, we shed light on the pivotal implication of the RPE in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity; and explain why a paradigm shift toward targeted RPE therapy is needed to efficiently fight these retinal diseases. We provide guidance for the development of RPE-specific nanotherapeutics by giving a comprehensive overview of the possibilities and challenges of drug delivery to the RPE and highlight successful nanotherapeutic approaches targeting the RPE.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Diabetic retinopathy; Nanotherapy; RPE; Retinal diseases; Retinal pigment epithelium; Retinopathy of prematurity; Targeted drug delivery.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Diabetic Retinopathy*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Macular Degeneration*
Retinal Pigment Epithelium