Advanced nanostructured systems for targeted drug delivery in the posterior segment of the eye

This doctoral thesis focused on the design and development of innovative ocular drug delivery systems for topical administration. Three different nanostructured platforms, polymeric nanomicelles, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles, were investigated and optimized for the treatment of diseases affecting the posterior segment of the eye. The first chapter describes the development of Poloxamer-based nanomicelles for retinal delivery of protein- and peptide-based therapeutics, useful for the treatment of retinal diseases. Following comprehensive physico-chemical characterization, cytotoxic assessment, and in vitro release studies, the most promising system was selected for ex vivo permeation evaluation. The second chapter focuses on the formulation and physicochemical characterization of Triamcinolone-loaded liposomes for posterior segment delivery. A systematic screening approach was employed to correlate surfactant composition with particle properties. Following this screening, the optimized formulation was further evaluated through subjected to in vitro release and ex vivo permeation analysis. The final chapter, conducted in collaboration with Prof. C. Alvarez-Lorenzo, describes biomimetic red Blood cell (RBC)-coated nanoparticles for corticosteroid delivery to the posterior segment. These novel nanoplatforms offer a non-invasive, targeted strategy, demonstrating significant translational potential for enhancing drug bioavailability within the retina. In this context, the results highlight the pivotal role of nanocarrier design in enhancing drug delivery performance. These findings support the investigation of advanced nanotechnologies as a promising strategy for developing targeted therapies for posterior segment diseases.