Emerging Technologies in Endocrine Drug Delivery: Innovations for Improved Patient Care

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 6; p. e62324
• Main Authors: Renzu, Mahvish, Hubers, Carly, Conway, Kendall, Gibatova, Viktoriya, Mehta, Vidhi, Taha, Wael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Diabetes; Drug delivery systems; Drugs; Endocrine disorders; Endocrinology; Glucagon; Glucose; Hydrogels; Innovations; Insulin; Pancreas; Patients; Peptides; Quality of life; Small intestine; Technological change; Technology; emerging technologies; endocrine drug delivery; endocrine treatments; artificial pancreas; inhaled insulin
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62324

Recent advancements in drug delivery systems for endocrine disorders have significantly improved patient outcomes by addressing the limitations of traditional methods such as oral tablets and injections. These innovations include non-invasive alternatives like inhaled insulin, which provides rapid absorption and better patient compliance, and robotic pills that deliver drugs directly to specific gastrointestinal sites, enhancing absorption and reducing side effects. Wearable artificial pancreas systems have revolutionized diabetes management by integrating continuous glucose monitoring with insulin pumps to automate blood glucose control. These systems demonstrate superior glycemic control and reduce hypoglycemic events. Additionally, smart insulin pens enhance diabetes care through dose tracking and real-time data sharing, improving accuracy and adherence. Microneedle patches offer a minimally invasive method for transdermal drug delivery, effectively administering hormones and therapeutic peptides without the pain and inconvenience of injections. These patches dissolve after use, eliminating biohazardous waste. Implantable devices provide long-term, controlled release of medications, significantly improving adherence and glycemic control of patients with diabetes. Hydrogels also offer new drug delivery options.  This review examines these technologies' clinical efficacy, safety, advantages, and limitations, highlighting their potential to transform endocrine disorder management. Integrating advanced delivery systems marks a significant step towards personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to individual patient needs for better health outcomes.