Imaging and its Applications to Drug Delivery

Abstract

Non-invasive, gamma, and positron scintigraphy can be used to obtain information on drug absorption, distribution, and elimination, as well as, on drug delivery and release from special formulations and controlled delivery devices. To accomplish this, appropriate gamma and/positron emitting radiotracers must be developed which can be incorporated into the formulation or the drug delivery device. Since these studies are non-invasive, they can be conducted in valuable experimental animals, e.g. primates as well as in humans. There are numerous approaches to aid in defining delivery, release, and absorption of compounds. Beginning with conventional radiotracers, progressing to neutron activated compounds, and finally to compounds radiolabeled with halogens or positron emitters one can chose the approach which will provide the information needed in the most reasonable way. Non-invasive imaging allows one to do this in a more physiological state in both pre-clinical and clinical applications.