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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing
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Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 6385

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Philippe Espeau

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UTCBS, Department of Pharmacy, University Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
Interests: pharmaceutical compound; solid state; relative stability; phase diagrams; thermodynamics; thermal analyses, 3D printing by FDM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of 3D printing in the biomedical field has been developing since the 1980s. In August 2015, 3D printing was expanded to the pharmaceutical field and the first 3D printed tablet (printlet), Spritam®, was approved by the FDA. Since then, numerous studies have focused on the manufacture of printlets using different printing methods.

In contrast to traditional manufacturing technologies, the interest of 3D printing is growing due to flexible and adjustable manufacturing processes that allow for the accurate adjustment of shape, size, flavor and dosage. Indeed, the dosages required for children and seniors may be very different from those observed in adults due to physiological and pharmacokinetic differences. In addition, 3D printing allows us to control the location of drug release, e.g., to target a specific segment of the gastrointestinal tract to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

The innovative aspect of 3D printing is to combine multiple drugs, dosages and drug-release profiles into a single formulation leading to an improvement in therapeutic adherence. Therefore, the number of daily tablets and also the potential administration errors are reduced. Moreover, the 3D printing allows us to control the drug release for enhancing its pharmacokinetics and efficacy (e.g., once-a-day dosing or delayed release to extend the effect). This possibility would constitute a step forward for elderly people who are often polymedicated.

Regarding the pediatric population, the conventional formulations may not be suitable or are not available (e.g. solid form, low palatability or unsuitable dosages). In this context, 3D printing is a manufacturing technique that could enable us to meet the specific needs of each patient.

Thanks to 3D printing, the use of certain excipients which are the subject of intolerance in certain patients can be avoided. In particular, the pediatric formulations contain many excipients which might cause toxicity in children.

This Special Issue focuses on numerous possible pharmaceutical applications of 3D Printing. An overview of the different 3D printing techniques applied to the pharmaceutical field will be of interest for the scientific community.

Research articles and reviews are welcome, and we look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Philippe Espeau
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • printlet
  • pharmaceutical application
  • dosage form
  • polymedication
  • personalized medicine

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3069 KiB  
Article
An Antibacterial-Loaded PLA 3D-Printed Model for Temporary Prosthesis in Arthroplasty Infections: Evaluation of the Impact of Layer Thickness on the Mechanical Strength of a Construct and Drug Release
by Carlos Tamarit-Martínez, Lucía Bernat-Just, Carlos Bueno-López, Adrián M. Alambiaga-Caravaca, Virginia Merino, Alicia López-Castellano and Vicent Rodilla
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(9), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16091151 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Infections are one of the main complications in arthroplasties. These infections are difficult to treat because the bacteria responsible for them settle in the prosthesis and form a biofilm that does not allow antimicrobials to reach the infected area. This study is part [...] Read more.
Infections are one of the main complications in arthroplasties. These infections are difficult to treat because the bacteria responsible for them settle in the prosthesis and form a biofilm that does not allow antimicrobials to reach the infected area. This study is part of a research project aimed at developing 3D-printed spacers (temporary prostheses) capable of incorporating antibacterials for the personalized treatment of arthroplasty infections. The main objective of this research was to analyze the impact of the layer thickness of 3D-printed constructs based on polylactic acid (PLA) for improved treatment of infections in arthroplasty. The focus is on the following parameters: resistance, morphology, drug release, and the effect of antibacterials incorporated in the printed temporary prostheses. The resistance studies revealed that the design and layer thickness of a printed spacer have an influence on its resistance properties. The thickness of the layer used in printing affects the amount of methylene blue (used as a model drug) that is released. Increasing layer thickness leads to a greater release of the drug from the spacer, probably as a result of higher porosity. To evaluate antibacterial release, cloxacillin and vancomycin were incorporated into the constructs. When incorporated into the 3D construct, both antibacterials were released, as evidenced by the growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, preliminary results indicate that the layer thickness during the three-dimensional (3D) printing process of the spacer plays a significant role in drug release. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing)
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15 pages, 5014 KiB  
Article
A Stereolithography-Based Modified Spin-Casting Method for Faster Laboratory-Scale Production of Dexamethasone-Containing Dissolving Microneedle Arrays
by Martin Cseh, Gábor Katona, Szilvia Berkó, Mária Budai-Szűcs and Ildikó Csóka
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(8), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16081005 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 918
Abstract
Microneedle arrays (MNAs) consist of a few dozens of submillimeter needles, which tend to penetrate through the stratum corneum layer of the skin and deliver hardly penetrating drugs to the systemic circulation. The application of this smart dosage form shows several advantages, such [...] Read more.
Microneedle arrays (MNAs) consist of a few dozens of submillimeter needles, which tend to penetrate through the stratum corneum layer of the skin and deliver hardly penetrating drugs to the systemic circulation. The application of this smart dosage form shows several advantages, such as simple use and negligible pain caused by needle punctures compared to conventional subcutaneous injections. Dissolving MNAs (DMNAs) represent a promising form of cutaneous drug delivery due to their high drug content, biocompatibility, and ease of use. Although different technologies are suitable to produce microneedle arrays (e.g., micromilling, chemical etching, laser ablation etc.), many of these are expensive or hardly accessible. Following the exponential growth of the 3D-printing industry in the last decade, high-resolution desktop printers became accessible for researchers to easily and cost-effectively design and produce microstructures, including MNAs. In this work, a low force stereolithography (LFS) 3D-printer was used to develop the dimensionally correct MNA masters for the spin-casting method. The present study aimed to develop and characterize drug-loaded DMNAs using a two-level, full factorial design for three factors focusing on the optimization of DMNA production and adequate drug content. For the preparation of DMNAs, carboxymethylcellulose and trehalose were used in certain amounts as matrices for dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEX). Investigation of the produced DexDMNAs included mechanical analysis via texture analyzer and optical microscopy, determination of drug content and distribution with HPLC and Raman microscopy, dissolution studies via HPLC, and ex vivo qualitative permeation studies by Raman mapping. It can be concluded that a DEX-containing, mechanically stable, biodegradable DexDMNA system was successfully developed in two dosage strengths, of which both efficiently delivered the drug to the lower layers (dermis) of human skin. Moreover, the ex vivo skin penetration results support that the application of DMNAs for cutaneous drug delivery can be more effective than that of a conventional dermal gel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing)
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17 pages, 2526 KiB  
Article
Geometry-Driven Fabrication of Mini-Tablets via 3D Printing: Correlating Release Kinetics with Polyhedral Shapes
by Young-Jin Kim, Yu-Rim Choi, Ji-Hyun Kang, Yun-Sang Park, Dong-Wook Kim and Chun-Woong Park
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(6), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16060783 - 8 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1079
Abstract
The aim of this study was to fabricate mini-tablets of polyhedrons containing theophylline using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer, and to evaluate the correlation between release kinetics models and their geometric shapes. The filaments containing theophylline, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and EUDRAGIT [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to fabricate mini-tablets of polyhedrons containing theophylline using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer, and to evaluate the correlation between release kinetics models and their geometric shapes. The filaments containing theophylline, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and EUDRAGIT RS PO (EU) could be obtained with a consistent thickness through pre-drying before hot melt extrusion (HME). Mini-tablets of polyhedrons ranging from tetrahedron to icosahedron were 3D-printed using the same formulation of the filament, ensuring equal volumes. The release kinetics models derived from dissolution tests of the polyhedrons, along with calculations for various physical parameters (edge, SA: surface area, SA/W: surface area/weight, SA/V: surface area/volume), revealed that the correlation between the Higuchi model and the SA/V was the highest (R2 = 0.995). It was confirmed that using 3D- printing for the development of personalized or pediatric drug products allows for the adjustment of drug dosage by modifying the size or shape of the drug while maintaining or controlling the same release profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing)
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18 pages, 4768 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Printability of PVA-Based Tablets from Powder and Assessment of Critical Rheological Parameters
by Jonas Lenhart, Florian Pöstges, Karl G. Wagner and Dominique J. Lunter
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(4), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040553 - 19 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1395
Abstract
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rather new technology in the production of personalized dosage forms. The melting and printing of polymer–active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)—mixtures can be used to produce oral dosage forms with different dosage as well as release behavior. This process [...] Read more.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rather new technology in the production of personalized dosage forms. The melting and printing of polymer–active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)—mixtures can be used to produce oral dosage forms with different dosage as well as release behavior. This process is utilized to increase the bioavailability of pharmaceutically relevant active ingredients that are poorly soluble in physiological medium by transforming them into solid amorphous dispersions (ASD). The release from such ASDs is expected to be faster and higher compared to the raw materials and thus enhance bioavailability. Printing directly from powder while forming ASDs from loperamide in Polyvinylalcohol was realized. Different techniques such as a change in infill and the incorporation of sorbitol as a plastisizer to change release patterns as well as a non-destructive way for the determination of API distribution were shown. By measuring the melt viscosities of the mixtures printed, a rheological model for the printer used is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing)
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Review

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21 pages, 2069 KiB  
Review
Pediatric Formulations Developed by Extrusion-Based 3D Printing: From Past Discoveries to Future Prospects
by Veronica Ianno, Sarah Vurpillot, Sylvain Prillieux and Philippe Espeau
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(4), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040441 - 22 Mar 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology in pharmaceutical areas is leading to a significant change in controlled drug delivery and pharmaceutical product development. Pharmaceutical industries and academics are becoming increasingly interested in this innovative technology due to its inherent inexpensiveness and rapid prototyping. The 3DP [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology in pharmaceutical areas is leading to a significant change in controlled drug delivery and pharmaceutical product development. Pharmaceutical industries and academics are becoming increasingly interested in this innovative technology due to its inherent inexpensiveness and rapid prototyping. The 3DP process could be established in the pharmaceutical industry to replace conventional large-scale manufacturing processes, particularly useful for personalizing pediatric drugs. For instance, shape, size, dosage, drug release and multi-drug combinations can be tailored according to the patient’s needs. Pediatric drug development has a significant global impact due to the growing needs for accessible age-appropriate pediatric medicines and for acceptable drug products to ensure adherence to the prescribed treatment. Three-dimensional printing offers several significant advantages for clinical pharmaceutical drug development, such as the ability to personalize medicines, speed up drug manufacturing timelines and provide on-demand drugs in hospitals and pharmacies. The aim of this article is to highlight the benefits of extrusion-based 3D printing technology. The future potential of 3DP in pharmaceuticals has been widely shown in the last few years. This article summarizes the discoveries about pediatric pharmaceutical formulations which have been developed with extrusion-based technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications of 3D Printing)
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