Drug metabolism in the lungs: opportunities for optimising inhaled medicines
Zachary Enlo‐Scott, Erica Bäckström, Ian Mudway, Ben Forbes
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The lungs possess many xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes which influence the pharmacokinetics and safety of inhaled medicines. Anticipating metabolism in the lungs provides an opportunity to optimize new inhaled medicines and overcome challenges in their development. AREAS COVERED: This article summarizes current knowledge on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the lungs. The impact of metabolism on inhaled medicines is considered with examples of how this impacts small molecules, biologics and macromolecular formulation excipients. Methods for measuring and predicting xenobiotic lung metabolism are critically reviewed and the potential for metabolism to influence inhalation toxicology is acknowledged. EXPERT OPINION: models.