Q J Med 1999; 92: 1-4
© 1999 Association of Physicians
Editorial |
Peptides as drugs
ICSM Endocrine Unit Hammersmith Hospital London
We are on the brink of a therapeutic revolution. There has been a rapid expansion in the use of peptides as drugs over the last decade, and this is likely to continue. Peptides regulate most physiological processes, acting at some sites as endocrine or paracrine signals and at others as neurotransmitters or growth factors. They are already being used therapeutically in such diverse areas as neurology, endocrinology and haematology.
Most peptides cannot be administered orally as they are rapidly inactivated by gastrointestinal enzymes, so that subcutaneous or intravenous administration is required. Therefore, research is focussing on alternative routes of delivery, including inhaled, buccal, intranasal and transdermal routes, as well as novel delivery systems such as the use of protective liposomes. Neuropeptide systems in the brain are being examined as potential targets for therapeutics, providing an exciting future development area. The dual problems of local targeted delivery and the blood-brain barrier,
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