Over the past ten years several sophisticated in vitro test systems based on epithelial cell cultures have been introduced in the field of drug delivery. These models have been found to be very useful in characterizing the permeability of drugs across epithelial tissues, and in studying formulations or carrier systems for improved drug delivery and enhanced absorption. Compared to in vivo trials on animals or humans, cell culture models are faster, more convenient and cost effective, ethically advantageous and, most importantly, they can be more easily standardized and validated.

This book provides a practical approach to contemporary cell culture-based in vitro techniques for drug transport studies at biological absorption barriers. It is an invaluable source of information for students attending graduate courses on this subject and pharmaceutical scientists working in industry or in academia.