Innovations in Ungual and Dermal Drug Delivery Systems for Localized Therapies

Dear Colleagues,

The topical treatment of ungual or dermal disorders is impaired by drugs’ physicochemical properties combined with the intrinsic characteristics of the nail plate and cutaneous barrier that lead to the poor permeation of drugs and/or bioactive molecules across its structure, consequentially making it difficult to achieve therapeutic concentrations on the diseased areas. This prompts an interest in developing nano-based systems, hydrogel-based formulations, 3D-printed pharmaceutical dosage forms, dressing films, other innovative systems and other strategies, for instance, microneedling, abrasive techniques, photodynamic therapy and the use of chemical penetration enhancers, as more effective alternatives for the topical treatment of ungual and skin conditions. Conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, onycomycosis, wounds and fungal and bacterial infections may benefit from such localized therapies.

This Special Issue aims at gathering a selection of novel research in the area of innovations in ungual and dermal drug delivery, focused on the development of new formulations or methods for evaluating the in vitro and in vivo performance of localized therapies and strategies. Original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Letícia Scherer Koester
Dr. Helder Teixeira
Guest Editors

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