Albumin is a versatile, biodegradable transport peptide for targeted drug delivery. Appling different formulation techniques nanoparticles can be prepared from albumin and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) [1]. As a colloidal drug carrier it can bind small molecule and peptide drugs with different mechanisms through its charged amino acids, carboxyl and amino groups: physical or covalent binding of the drug to albumin through a ligand or protein-binding group, the fusion of drug with albumin and encapsulation of drugs into albumin nanoparticles.
The therapeutic effect of albumin nanoparticles was researched initially in tumor therapy, they can penetrate the tumors because of an albumin transport pathway mediated by the glycoprotein gp60 located on the endothelial cell surface of tumors. Albumin transport pathways, such as those mediated by gp60, are found on the surface of endothelial cells in peripheral capillaries. Beside tumor targeting NSAID containing albumin nanoparticles can be applied for to reduce inflammation in tissues. Both tumor cells and inflamed tissues have increased metabolism therefor high energy need which is covered from endogenous albumin breakdown. This mechanism can be take advantage for drug targeting via albumin nanoparticles. Recent studies show albumin nanoparticles can bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) through nasal administration route transporting the drug directly into the central nervous system.
The current focus of our research deals with the alternative route of administration of albumin nanoparticles which can be a promising tool for threating neurodegenerative diseases, whose present treatment is hindered because of the BBB protective mechanism.

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[1] Katona, G., Szabóné Révész, P.: Formulálási stratégiák és kihívások a biológiai gyógyszerek fejlesztésében, Gyógyszerészet, 63, 1-7 (2019).