# Outstanding Contributions to Aerosol Pulmonary Drug Delivery

**Authors:** Anthony J. Hickey, Erik S. Pena, Sara E. Maloney Norcross

PMC · DOI: 10.14356/kona.2026011 · Kona : powder science and technology in Japan · 2026-04-01

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the evolution and importance of accurate pulmonary drug delivery for treating various diseases, including new opportunities in inhaled biologicals.

## Contribution

The paper highlights advancements in particle systems and aerosol performance for treating a wide range of diseases, including genetic and infectious conditions.

## Key findings

- Solid-state chemistry and particle properties are critical for successful pulmonary drug delivery.
- Comprehensive characterization of physicochemical properties ensures product quality and clinical efficacy.
- Inhaled biologicals show promise for treating genetic diseases and infectious conditions like those seen in the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Abstract

Dose accuracy and precision for pulmonary drug delivery have been core elements of therapy for asthma for 70 years. As the technology has developed, its application has spread to various diseases. For many inhaled products, solid-state chemistry, the nature of the drug particles, and their relationship to other particles in the formulation underpin success in disease treatment. Methods of manufacturing yield unique particle systems whose properties support the range of doses required to treat diseases with low- and high-potency drugs requiring high and low doses, respectively. To ensure the quality of these particulate products, which correlates with safety and efficacy, comprehensive characterization of their physicochemical properties and aerosol performance is required. The delivered dose and aerodynamic particle size distribution are key characteristics related to lung exposure required in clinical efficacy trials for non-communicable, genetic, environmental, and communicable (i.e., infectious) diseases. The breadth of inhaled therapy has increased significantly since the introduction of the initial products in the last century. The desire to treat genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, and the emergence of new approaches to lung therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic are opening up new opportunities in inhaled biologicals that are anticipated to lead to future developments.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** asthma (MONDO:0004979), cystic fibrosis (MONDO:0009061), COVID-19 (MONDO:0100096)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** MAFD2 (major affective disorder 2) [NCBI Gene 4096] {aka BPAD, MDI, MDX}, ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) [NCBI Gene 59272] {aka ACEH}, INS (insulin) [NCBI Gene 3630] {aka IDDM, IDDM1, IDDM2, ILPR, IRDN, MODY10}, KITLG (KIT ligand) [NCBI Gene 4254] {aka DCUA, DFNA69, FPH2, FPHH, KL-1, Kitl}
- **Diseases:** Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (MESH:D011552), GSD (MESH:D010262), COPD (MESH:D029424), APSD (MESH:D020243), Pulmonary (MESH:D008171), lung infection (MESH:D012141), infection (MESH:D007239), death (MESH:D003643), TB (MESH:D014376), Communicable diseases (MESH:D003141), asthma (MESH:D001249), mycobacterial infections (MESH:D009165), XRPD (MESH:C564523), genetic diseases (MESH:D030342), multidrug (MESH:D018088), COVID-19 (MESH:D000086382), Non-communicable disease (MESH:D000073296), cancer (MESH:D009369), DDU (MESH:C567162), MMAD (MESH:D020423), CF (MESH:D003550)
- **Chemicals:** Ventolin (MESH:D000420), Symbicort (MESH:D000069502), chlorine (MESH:D002713), PLGA (MESH:D000077182), spectramide (MESH:C060906), clofazimine (MESH:D002991), trehalose (MESH:D014199), lipid (MESH:D008055), vilanterol (MESH:C550468), fumaryl-diketopiperazine (MESH:C413290), mannitol (MESH:D008353), cholesterol (MESH:D002784), Berotec (MESH:D005280), Colobreathe (-), erythritol (MESH:D004896), polymer (MESH:D011108), iodine (MESH:D007455), Intal (MESH:D004205), bedaquiline (MESH:C493870), budesonide (MESH:D019819), rifampicin (MESH:D012293), ethanol (MESH:D000431), Advair (MESH:D000068297), chloride (MESH:D002712), capreomycin (MESH:D002207), formoterol (MESH:D000068759), TOBI (MESH:D014031), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MESH:D000073738), carbon dioxide (MESH:D002245), nitrogen (MESH:D009584), Bricanyl (MESH:D013726), tigecycline (MESH:D000078304), Water (MESH:D014867), voriconazole (MESH:D065819), sugars (MESH:D000073893), CPZEN-45 (MESH:C583520), spectinamide 1599 (MESH:C000632163), phosphatidylcholine (MESH:D010713), lactose (MESH:D007785), tacrolimus (MESH:D016559), Spiriva (MESH:D000069447), amino acids (MESH:D000596), leucine (MESH:D007930), carboxyfluorescein (MESH:C024098), Phospholipids (MESH:D010743), oil (MESH:D009821), umeclidinium (MESH:C573971), fluticasone (MESH:D000068298)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Cavia porcellus (domestic guinea pig, species) [taxon 10141], Mycobacterium avium complex sp. (species) [taxon 37162], Mycobacterium tuberculosis (species) [taxon 1773], Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (no rank) [taxon 2697049], Mycobacteroides abscessus (species) [taxon 36809]

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13037797/full.md

## References

104 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13037797/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13037797