Local treatment of lung cancer by the inhalation route is an emerging therapeutic area, particularly for early stages of the disease when the cancer is localized in the lung tissue. This article outlines manufacturing and formulation considerations for local treatment of lung cancer by dry powder inhaler and highlights three recent case studies.
The article summarizes recent work on dry powder formulations for lung-cancer-relevant targets, including topoisomerase 1, VEGF, EGFR and chemotherapeutic agents. Using spray drying to engineer respirable particles, the case studies demonstrate the broad applicability of this technology to small and large molecules alike. Looking forward, future clinical trials for local treatment of lung cancer by dry powder inhaler hold great promise for patients of this challenging disease.