Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have unveiled a groundbreaking drug-delivery strategy that makes high-dose regimens more tolerable for patients. The approach uses a suspension of tiny drug crystals that, once injected, reorganize into a stable depot beneath the skin. This depot acts as a storage reservoir capable of releasing active substances over months and even years. The work appeared in Nature Chemical Engineering. The method has the potential to reduce the frequency of injections while maintaining therapeutic exposure, a development that could meaningfully improve adherence and patient comfort for certain long-acting therapies.
Unlike conventional injection drugs that disperse through tissue and require repeat dosing every few months, this technique creates a densely packed depot directly under the skin. It relies on a biocompatible solvent that slows the mixing of drug crystals with bodily fluids, allowing the crystals to aggregate into a compact, self-contained structure. The result is a stable depot that can act as a dedicated reservoir for the therapeutic agent, delivering sustained release without the need for multiple injections over a short period.
A small amount of polymer, accounting for less than 1.6% of the total mass, is added to tune the release profile. This additive provides a controllable lever to adjust how quickly or slowly the drug exits the depot, enabling customization for different medicines and patient needs while preserving the integrity of the crystalline formulation.
In experiments with rats, researchers observed that the drug remained stable and released slowly for three months. At the end of the study, about 85% of the original dose remained within the depot, indicating the possibility of therapeutic action lasting beyond a year in practical terms, though further studies are required to confirm how this translates to humans.
If necessary, the depot can be surgically removed, offering a safety-and-flexibility option for clinicians. This removability adds a level of patient safety and regulatory practicality, as intervention remains feasible if adjustments to dosing are needed or if adverse effects arise.
This technology could substantially simplify the use of long-acting contraceptives and other therapies that currently demand regular injections. Additionally, because the formulation can be administered with a thin needle, the procedure may be less painful and better tolerated by patients, potentially improving adherence for chronic treatments.
The researchers emphasized that the approach demonstrates controlled, long-term release from a few months up to several years, highlighting its potential to broaden the range of drugs that can be delivered through a depot system. Ongoing, advanced clinical studies are underway to adapt the method for broader clinical use and to evaluate safety, dosing, and efficacy in human volunteers.
Earlier investigations in the field explored strategies to double the likelihood of preserving erectile function after prostate cancer treatment, illustrating the broader pursuit of quality-of-life-preserving therapies alongside innovations in drug delivery.