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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Inhaled Advances: Emerging Trends in Pulmonary Drug Delivery
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Inhaled Advances: Emerging Trends in Pulmonary Drug Delivery

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2027 | Viewed by 8870

Editors

Dr. Dolores R. Serrano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departament of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, University Complutense, Avenida Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: nanomedicines; microparticles; sustained-release formulations; liposomes; nanoparticles; drug targeting; pharmacokinetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Brayan Anaya

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: pulmonary drug delivery; 3D printing; microparticulate manufacturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a vital route for both local and systemic therapies, driven by the unique physiology of the lungs and the growing demand for noninvasive treatment options. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and critical reviews that explore the latest advances in inhaled formulations, microparticulate systems, novel excipients for pulmonary drug delivery, nanocarrier systems, aerosol technologies, and precision targeting strategies. From treating respiratory diseases such as infection, asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to systemic applications including vaccines and oncology, contributions are invited to be made to this Special Issue to highlight the versatility and potential of pulmonary delivery platforms.

Dr. Dolores R. Serrano
Dr. Brayan Anaya
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pulmonary drug delivery
  • microparticles
  • nanomedicines
  • infectious diseases
  • lung targeting

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 781 KB  
Article
Vibrating Mesh and Jet Nebulizer Performance in Pediatric Respiratory Support: A Multi-Modality In Vitro Comparison
by Ronan MacLoughlin, Ann-Marie Crowe, Michael Scully and Brendan D. Higgins
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050575 - 6 May 2026
Viewed by 1382
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess in vitro nebulized drug delivery during invasive and non-invasive ventilation, comparing jet nebulizers (JN) and vibrating mesh nebulizers (VMN) across various pediatric ventilation models. Methods: Drug delivery performance was compared between a continuous output [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of this study was to assess in vitro nebulized drug delivery during invasive and non-invasive ventilation, comparing jet nebulizers (JN) and vibrating mesh nebulizers (VMN) across various pediatric ventilation models. Methods: Drug delivery performance was compared between a continuous output JN (Aquineb) and VMN (Aerogen Solo A-VMN). The non-invasive model simulated a spontaneously breathing 9-month-old child using an anatomically correct upper airway model and breathing simulator. The invasive model used a mechanical ventilator with heated humidifier in a pediatric breathing circuit with an endotracheal tube. Nebulizers were driven with supplemental oxygen at manufacturer-recommended rates and positioned at approved locations. Absolute inhaled dose, delivery rate and residual volume were assessed using face mask, mechanical ventilation, high-flow nasal therapy and blow-by delivery methods. Dose was quantified using spectrophotometric analysis. Results: During spontaneous breathing, A-VMN delivered almost double the dose of the evaluated JN (p < 0.001), with a significantly faster delivery rate (p < 0.001) and lower residual volume (p < 0.0001). During mechanical ventilation, A-VMN demonstrated a greater than 3-fold increase in delivered dose (p < 0.0001) and faster delivery (p < 0.0001), with reduced residual volume (p < 0.001). During high-flow nasal therapy, delivery via nasal cannula was affected by gas flow rate for both devices, with A-VMN consistently delivering greater doses. A-VMN delivered significantly greater salbutamol doses during blow-by delivery. Conclusions: VMN demonstrated significantly superior dose delivery, faster delivery rates and reduced residual volumes compared to the evaluated JN across all tested pediatric respiratory support modalities. These in vitro findings provide important performance data for evidence-based device selection and warrant clinical investigation to determine potential therapeutic benefits in pediatric populations requiring aerosol therapy during respiratory support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inhaled Advances: Emerging Trends in Pulmonary Drug Delivery)
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23 pages, 3293 KB  
Article
Spray-Dried Serum for Inhaled Antiviral Therapy
by Saveria Germani, Miriam Polichetti, Valentina Garrapa, Giovanna Trevisi, Jonas Füner and Ruggero Bettini
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(12), 1518; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17121518 - 26 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1961
Abstract
Background. Inhalable monoclonal antibodies were explored as therapeutics for respiratory viral infections due to their high specificity, which, however, can become a drawback if virus mutational escape occurs. Serum-derived polyclonal antibodies for prophylaxis reflect the diverse response of the immune system, reducing [...] Read more.
Background. Inhalable monoclonal antibodies were explored as therapeutics for respiratory viral infections due to their high specificity, which, however, can become a drawback if virus mutational escape occurs. Serum-derived polyclonal antibodies for prophylaxis reflect the diverse response of the immune system, reducing susceptibility to virus mutations and targeting multiple epitopes. Objectives. The aim of this work was the development of inhalable powders containing serum of rats immunized against SARS-CoV-2. Methods & Results. In a preliminary screening, combinations of sugar and an amino acid outperformed single excipients in terms of retention of protein size and residual moisture content. Four formulations were further developed on neat and albumin-depleted serum: HPβCD/L-leucine in water, HPβCD/L-leucine in phosphate buffer (KP), trehalose/L-leucine in water and HPβCD/glycine in KP. These were subsequently evaluated for aerosol performance and protein stability. All spray-dried formulations afforded respirable particles (MMAD ≤ 5 µm, FPF 70–80%), with L-leucine reducing hygroscopicity and particle aggregation while improving aerosol dispersibility. Conclusions. Albumin did not positively affect aerodynamic properties but provided greater protection of immunoglobulin activity (approximately 80% and 90% in albumin-depleted and neat serum, respectively). Buffer selection had no remarkable impact on the considered parameters. L-leucine with HPβCD offered the best balance of aerodynamic performance and protein stabilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inhaled Advances: Emerging Trends in Pulmonary Drug Delivery)
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24 pages, 2946 KB  
Article
Comparative In Vitro Deposition Analysis of Formoterol, Glycopyrronium, and Tiotropium Delivered via Capsule-Based DPI
by Adam Sikora, Joanna Chałupka, Kinga Lewandowska, Paulina Drapińska and Michał Piotr Marszałł
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(9), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091089 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1883
Abstract
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are the mainstay in the treatment of obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, the performance of DPI formulations is highly dependent on the used inhaler device and the patient’s inspiratory effort. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the aerosolization behavior [...] Read more.
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are the mainstay in the treatment of obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, the performance of DPI formulations is highly dependent on the used inhaler device and the patient’s inspiratory effort. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the aerosolization behavior of three commercially available capsule-based DPI medications—formoterol (Foradil®), glycopyrronium (Seebri® Breezhaler), and tiotropium (Spiriva®)—delivered using three different capsule-based inhalers (Aerolizer, Breezhaler, and Handihaler), under varying flow conditions. Methods: The aerodynamic performance of each formulation–inhaler combination was assessed using the Next-Generation Impactor (NGI) and Dosage Unit Sampling Apparatus (DUSA) methodology. Fine particle dose (FPD) and aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) were determined at fixed flow rates of 15, 30, 60, and 100 L/min, as well as at inhaler-specific flow rates corresponding to a 4 kPa pressure drop. Chromatographic quantification of active ingredients was performed using validated HPLC methods specific to each drug. Results: The FPD values increased consistently with higher flow rates across all tested formulations and inhalers. At a 4 kPa pressure drop, Aerolizer and Breezhaler achieved significantly higher FPDs compared to Handihaler. Notably, in some instances, non-dedicated inhalers produced greater respirable fractions than the originally intended devices. APSD profiles revealed that drug deposition shifted toward smaller NGI stages at higher inspiratory flows, supporting enhanced deep lung delivery potential under optimal conditions. Conclusions: Device resistance, capsule orientation, and piercing mechanics substantially influence drug aerosolization. Although non-dedicated inhalers may offer improved FPDs in vitro, clinical use should adhere to approved drug–device combinations, as these have been validated for efficacy and safety under real-world conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inhaled Advances: Emerging Trends in Pulmonary Drug Delivery)
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Review

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47 pages, 3196 KB  
Review
Pulmonary Drug Delivery for Infectious Diseases: Cutting-Edge Formulations and Manufacturing Technologies
by Brayan J. Anaya, Emanuel Osorio-Vargas, Samir Monterrosa-Moreno, Diego F. Tirado, Elena González-Burgos and Dolores R. Serrano
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020242 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 2605
Abstract
Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a powerful strategy for the treatment of respiratory infectious diseases, including bacterial, fungal, and viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19, by enabling high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. However, the clinical success of inhaled [...] Read more.
Pulmonary drug delivery has emerged as a powerful strategy for the treatment of respiratory infectious diseases, including bacterial, fungal, and viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19, by enabling high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. However, the clinical success of inhaled anti-infective therapies critically depends on the precise engineering of particle properties that govern lung deposition, cellular targeting, and therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and technology-driven overview of cutting-edge formulation and manufacturing strategies for pulmonary drug delivery, with particular emphasis on the key process and formulation parameters required to generate effective inhalable systems for the treatment of infectious diseases. Advanced particle-engineering approaches, including spray drying, spray freeze drying, jet milling, and supercritical fluid technologies are discussed as enabling tools to tightly control aerodynamic particle size, morphology, and solid-state properties. In parallel, emerging platforms such as nanoparticle-based delivery systems are examined for their ability to target specific lung cell populations, including epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages, thereby enhancing antimicrobial efficacy. Finally, innovative manufacturing concepts such as microfluidics and three-dimensional (3D) printing are highlighted as promising strategies to improve particle size uniformity, reproducibility, and formulation customization. By integrating formulation science with advanced manufacturing technologies, this review identifies the critical design and processing parameters that underpin effective pulmonary delivery of anti-infective therapies and outlines future directions for the development of next-generation inhaled treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inhaled Advances: Emerging Trends in Pulmonary Drug Delivery)
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