Current challenges and future perspectives in oral absorption research : an opinion of the UNGAP network

Vinarov, Zahari and Abrahamsson, Bertil and Artursson, Per and Batchelor, Hannah and Berben, Philippe and Bernkop-Schnürch, Andreas and Butler, James and Ceulemans, Jens and Davies, Nigel and Dupont, Didier and Flaten, Gøril Eide and Fotaki, Nikoletta and Griffin, Brendan T. and Jannin, Vincent and Keemink, Janneke and Kesisoglou, Filippos and Koziolek, Mirko and Kuentz, Martin and Mackie, Alan and Meléndez-Martínez, Antonio J. and McAllister, Mark and Müllertz, Anette and O'Driscoll, Caitriona M. and Parrott, Neil and Paszkowska, Jadwiga and Pavek, Petr and Porter, Christopher J.H. and Reppas, Christos and Stillhart, Cordula and Sugano, Kiyohiko and Toader, Elena and Valentová, Kateřina and Vertzoni, Maria and De Wildt, Saskia N. and Wilson, Clive G. and Augustijns, Patrick (2021) Current challenges and future perspectives in oral absorption research : an opinion of the UNGAP network. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 171. pp. 289-331. ISSN 0169-409X (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2021.02.001)

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Abstract

Although oral drug delivery is the preferred administration route and has been used for centuries, modern drug discovery and development pipelines challenge conventional formulation approaches and highlight the insufficient mechanistic understanding of processes critical to oral drug absorption. This review presents the opinion of UNGAP scientists on four key themes across the oral absorption landscape: (1) specific patient populations, (2) regional differences in the gastrointestinal tract, (3) advanced formulations and (4) food-drug interactions. The differences of oral absorption in pediatric and geriatric populations, the specific issues in colonic absorption, the formulation approaches for poorly water-soluble (small molecules) and poorly permeable (peptides, RNA etc.) drugs, as well as the vast realm of food effects, are some of the topics discussed in detail. The identified controversies and gaps in the current understanding of gastrointestinal absorption-related processes are used to create a roadmap for the future of oral drug absorption research.

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