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Rodríguez-Pombo L, Carou-Senra P, Rodríguez-Martínez E, Januskaite P, Rial C, Félix P, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Basit AW, Goyanes A. Customizable orodispersible films: Inkjet printing and data matrix encoding for personalized hydrocortisone dosing. Int J Pharm 2024; 655:124005. [PMID: 38493841 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to exploit the versatility of inkjet printing to develop flexible doses of drug-loaded orodispersible films that encoded information in a data matrix pattern, and to introduce a specialised data matrix-generator software specifically focused on the healthcare sector. Pharma-inks (drug-loaded inks) containing hydrocortisone (HC) were developed and characterised based on their rheological properties and drug content. Different strategies were investigated to improve HC solubility: formation of β-cyclodextrin complexes, Soluplus® based micelles, and the use of co-solvent systems. The software automatically adapted the data matrix size and identified the number of layers for printing. HC content deposited in each film layer was measured, and it was found that the proportion of co-solvent used directly affected the drug solubility and simultaneously played a role in the modification of the viscosity and surface tension of the inks. The formation of β-cyclodextrin complexes improved the drug quantity deposited in each layer. On the contrary, micelle-based inks were not suitable for printing. Orodispersible films containing flexible and low doses of personalised HC were successfully prepared, and the development of a code generator software oriented to medical use provided an additional, innovative, and revolutionary advantage to personalised medicine safety and accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Rodríguez-Pombo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Paola Carou-Senra
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Erea Rodríguez-Martínez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Patricija Januskaite
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Carlos Rial
- FABRX Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH, UK; FABRX Artificial Intelligence, Carretera de Escairón, 14, Currelos (O Saviñao) CP 27543, Spain
| | - Paulo Félix
- CiTIUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Abdul W Basit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FABRX Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH, UK; FABRX Artificial Intelligence, Carretera de Escairón, 14, Currelos (O Saviñao) CP 27543, Spain.
| | - Alvaro Goyanes
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS) and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FABRX Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH, UK; FABRX Artificial Intelligence, Carretera de Escairón, 14, Currelos (O Saviñao) CP 27543, Spain.
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Rodríguez-Pombo L, de Castro-López MJ, Sánchez-Pintos P, Giraldez-Montero JM, Januskaite P, Duran-Piñeiro G, Dolores Bóveda M, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Basit AW, Goyanes A, Couce ML. Paediatric clinical study of 3D printed personalised medicines for rare metabolic disorders. Int J Pharm 2024:124140. [PMID: 38643809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Rare diseases are infrequent, but together they affect up to 6-10 % of the world's population, mainly children. Patients require precise doses and strict adherence to avoid metabolic or cardiac failure in some cases, which cannot be addressed in a reliable way using pharmaceutical compounding. 3D printing (3DP) is a disruptive technology that allows the real-time personalization of the dose and the modulation of the dosage form to adapt the medicine to the therapeutic needs of each patient. 3D printed chewable medicines containing amino acids (citrulline, isoleucine, valine, and isoleucine and valine combinations) were prepared in a hospital setting, and the efficacy and acceptability were evaluated in comparison to conventional compounded medicines in six children. The inclusion of new flavours (lemon, vanilla and peach) to obtain more information on patient preferences and the implementation of a mobile app to obtain patient feedback in real-time was also used. The 3D printed medicines controlled amino acid levels within target levels as well as the conventional medicines. The deviation of citrulline levels was narrower and closer within the target concentration with the chewable formulations. According to participants' responses, the chewable formulations were well accepted and can improve adherence and quality of life. For the first time, 3DP enabled two actives to be combined in the same formulation, reducing the number of administrations. This study demonstrated the benefits of preparing 3D printed personalized treatments for children diagnosed with rare metabolic disorders using a novel technology in the real clinical practice over the current approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Rodríguez-Pombo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Materials Institute iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María José de Castro-López
- Servicio de Neonatología, Unidad de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Enfermedades Metabólicas Congénitas, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, RICORS, CIBERER, MetabERN, Spain
| | - Paula Sánchez-Pintos
- Servicio de Neonatología, Unidad de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Enfermedades Metabólicas Congénitas, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, RICORS, CIBERER, MetabERN, Spain
| | - Jose Maria Giraldez-Montero
- Pharmacy Department, Xerencia de Xestión Integrada de Santiago de Compostela, SERGAS, Travesía Choupana s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Patricija Januskaite
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Goretti Duran-Piñeiro
- Pharmacy Department, Xerencia de Xestión Integrada de Santiago de Compostela, SERGAS, Travesía Choupana s/n, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - M Dolores Bóveda
- Servicio de Neonatología, Unidad de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Enfermedades Metabólicas Congénitas, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, RICORS, CIBERER, MetabERN, Spain
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Materials Institute iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Abdul W Basit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FABRX Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH, UK; FABRX Artificial Intelligence, Carretera de Escairón, 14, Currelos (O Saviñao), CP 27543, Spain
| | - Alvaro Goyanes
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, Materials Institute iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FABRX Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH, UK; FABRX Artificial Intelligence, Carretera de Escairón, 14, Currelos (O Saviñao), CP 27543, Spain.
| | - Maria L Couce
- Servicio de Neonatología, Unidad de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Enfermedades Metabólicas Congénitas, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, RICORS, CIBERER, MetabERN, Spain.
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Seoane-Viaño I, Pérez-Ramos T, Liu J, Januskaite P, Guerra-Baamonde E, González-Ramírez J, Vázquez-Caruncho M, Basit AW, Goyanes A. Visualizing disintegration of 3D printed tablets in humans using MRI and comparison with in vitro data. J Control Release 2024; 365:348-357. [PMID: 37972762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is revolutionising the way that medicines are manufactured today, paving the way towards more personalised medicine. However, there is limited in vivo data on 3D printed dosage forms, and no studies to date have been performed investigating the intestinal behaviour of these drug products in humans, hindering the complete translation of 3D printed medications into clinical practice. Furthermore, it is unknown whether conventional in vitro release tests can accurately predict the in vivo performance of 3D printed formulations in humans. In this study, selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing technology has been used to produce two placebo torus-shaped tablets (printlets) using different laser scanning speeds. The printlets were administered to 6 human volunteers, and in vivo disintegration times were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In vitro disintegration tests were performed using a standard USP disintegration apparatus, as well as an alternative method based on the use of reduced media volume and minimal agitation. Printlets fabricated at a laser scanning speed of 90 mm/s exhibited an average in vitro disintegration time of 7.2 ± 1 min (measured using the USP apparatus) and 25.5 ± 4.1 min (measured using the alternative method). In contrast, printlets manufactured at a higher laser scanning speed of 130 mm/s had an in vitro disintegration time of 2.8 ± 0.8 min (USP apparatus) and 18.8 ± 1.9 min (alternative method). When tested in humans, printlets fabricated at a laser scanning speed of 90 mm/s showed an average disintegration time of 17.3 ± 7.2 min, while those manufactured at a laser scanning speed of 130 mm/s exhibited a shorter disintegration time of 12.7 ± 6.8 min. Although the disintegration times obtained using the alternative method more closely resembled those obtained in vivo, no clear correlation was observed between the in vitro and in vivo disintegration times, highlighting the need to develop better in vitro methodology for 3D printed drug products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iria Seoane-Viaño
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Paraquasil Group (GI-2109), Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Tania Pérez-Ramos
- Radiology Department, University Hospital Lucus Augusti (HULA), Rúa Dr. Ulises Romero, 1, Lugo 27003, Spain
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Patricija Januskaite
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Elena Guerra-Baamonde
- Radiology Department, University Hospital Lucus Augusti (HULA), Rúa Dr. Ulises Romero, 1, Lugo 27003, Spain
| | - Jorge González-Ramírez
- Radiology Department, University Hospital Lucus Augusti (HULA), Rúa Dr. Ulises Romero, 1, Lugo 27003, Spain
| | - Manuel Vázquez-Caruncho
- Radiology Department, University Hospital Lucus Augusti (HULA), Rúa Dr. Ulises Romero, 1, Lugo 27003, Spain.
| | - Abdul W Basit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FabRx Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford TN24 8DH, UK.
| | - Alvaro Goyanes
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FabRx Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford TN24 8DH, UK; Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
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Pollard TD, Seoane-Viaño I, Ong JJ, Januskaite P, Awwad S, Orlu M, Bande MF, Basit AW, Goyanes A. Inkjet drug printing onto contact lenses: Deposition optimisation and non-invasive dose verification. Int J Pharm X 2022; 5:100150. [PMID: 36593987 PMCID: PMC9804110 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2022.100150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inkjet printing has the potential to advance the treatment of eye diseases by printing drugs on demand onto contact lenses for localised delivery and personalised dosing, while near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can further be used as a quality control method for quantifying the drug but has yet to be demonstrated with contact lenses. In this study, a glaucoma therapy drug, timolol maleate, was successfully printed onto contact lenses using a modified commercial inkjet printer. The drug-loaded ink prepared for the printer was designed to match the properties of commercial ink, whilst having maximal drug loading and avoiding ocular inflammation. This setup demonstrated personalised drug dosing by printing multiple passes. Light transmittance was found to be unaffected by drug loading on the contact lens. A novel dissolution model was built, and in vitro dissolution studies showed drug release over at least 3 h, significantly longer than eye drops. NIR was used as an external validation method to accurately quantify the drug dose. Overall, the combination of inkjet printing and NIR represent a novel method for point-of-care personalisation and quantification of drug-loaded contact lenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D. Pollard
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Iria Seoane-Viaño
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK,Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Paraquasil Group (GI-2109), Faculty of Pharmacy, and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Jun Jie Ong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Patricija Januskaite
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Sahar Awwad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Mine Orlu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Manuel F. Bande
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Ramon Baltar S/N, Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Abdul W. Basit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK,FabRx Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford TN24 8DH, UK,Corresponding authors at: Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
| | - Alvaro Goyanes
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK,FabRx Ltd., Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford TN24 8DH, UK,Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Facultad de Farmacia, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain,Corresponding authors at: Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
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Seoane-Viaño I, Januskaite P, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Basit AW, Goyanes A. Semi-solid extrusion 3D printing in drug delivery and biomedicine: Personalised solutions for healthcare challenges. J Control Release 2021; 332:367-389. [PMID: 33652114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an innovative additive manufacturing technology, capable of fabricating unique structures in a layer-by-layer manner. Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) is a subset of material extrusion 3D printing, and through the sequential deposition of layers of gel or paste creates objects of any desired size and shape. In comparison to other extrusion-based technologies, SSE 3D printing employs low printing temperatures which makes it suitable for drug delivery and biomedical applications, and the use of disposable syringes provides benefits in meeting critical quality requirements for pharmaceutical use. Besides pharmaceutical manufacturing, SSE 3D printing has attracted increasing attention in the field of bioelectronics, particularly in the manufacture of biosensors capable of measuring physiological parameters or as a means to trigger drug release from medical devices. This review begins by highlighting the major printing process parameters and material properties that influence the feasibility of transforming a 3D design into a 3D object, and follows with a discussion on the current SSE 3D printing developments and their applications in the fields of pharmaceutics, bioprinting and bioelectronics. Finally, the advantages and limitations of this technology are explored, before focusing on its potential clinical applications and suitability for preparing personalised medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iria Seoane-Viaño
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Paraquasil Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Patricija Januskaite
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Abdul W Basit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; FabRx Ltd., 3 Romney Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0RW, UK.
| | - Alvaro Goyanes
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; FabRx Ltd., 3 Romney Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0RW, UK.
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Januskaite P, Xu X, Ranmal SR, Gaisford S, Basit AW, Tuleu C, Goyanes A. I Spy with My Little Eye: A Paediatric Visual Preferences Survey of 3D Printed Tablets. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1100. [PMID: 33212847 PMCID: PMC7698452 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12111100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
3D printing (3DP) in the pharmaceutical field is a disruptive technology that allows the preparation of personalised medicines at the point of dispensing. The paediatric population presents a variety of pharmaceutical formulation challenges such as dose flexibility, patient compliance, taste masking and the fear or difficulty to swallow tablets, all factors that could be overcome using the adaptable nature of 3DP. User acceptability studies of 3D printed formulations have been previously carried out in adults; however, feedback from children themselves is essential in establishing the quality target product profile towards the development of age-appropriate medicines. The aim of this study was to investigate the preference of children for different 3D printed tablets (Printlets™) as an important precursor to patient acceptability studies. Four different 3DP technologies; digital light processing (DLP), selective laser sintering (SLS), semi-solid extrusion (SSE) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) were used to prepare placebo printlets with similar physical attributes including size and shape. A single-site, two-part survey was completed with participants aged 4-11 years to determine their preference and opinions based on visual inspection of the printlets. A total of 368 participants completed an individual open questionnaire to visually select the best and worst printlet, and 310 participants completed further non-compulsory open questions to elaborate on their choices. Overall, the DLP printlets were the most visually appealing to the children (61.7%) followed by the SLS printlets (21.2%), and with both the FDM (5.4%) and SSE (11.7%) printlets receiving the lowest scores. However, after being informed that the SSE printlets were chewable, the majority of participants changed their selection and favoured this printlet, despite their original choice, in line with children's preference towards chewable dosage forms. Participant age and sex displayed no significant differences in printlet selection. Printlet descriptions were grouped into four distinct categories; appearance, perceived taste, texture and familiarity, and were found to be equally important when creating a quality target product profile for paediatric 3D printed formulations. This study is the first to investigate children's perceptions of printlets, and the findings aim to provide guidance for further development of paediatric-appropriate medicines using different 3DP technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricija Januskaite
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Sejal R. Ranmal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Simon Gaisford
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
- FabRx Ltd., 3 Romney Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0RW, UK
| | - Abdul W. Basit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
- FabRx Ltd., 3 Romney Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0RW, UK
| | - Catherine Tuleu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Alvaro Goyanes
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (P.J.); (X.X.); (S.R.R.); (S.G.)
- FabRx Ltd., 3 Romney Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0RW, UK
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I + D Farma Group (GI-1645), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
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