Prodrugs and targeted drug delivery

The purpose of this work is to review the viability of the prodrug approach as a means of attaining targeted drug delivery. Through the use of simple pharmacokinetic models, the initial discussion focuses on defining targeting and resolving the pharmacokinetic characteristics, of both the drug and corresponding prodrug, necessary to achieve optimal targeted delivery. Next, several examples of where the prodrug approach has been used to achieve targeted delivery will be discussed. Lastly, due to the considerable attention it has received over the last 10 years, a brief section has been devoted to targeting by the use of prodrugs in combination with monoclonal antibodies.