Jul 2026· Trends in Biomaterials & Artificial Organs· Vol 40, pp. 269-281· 0 citations· 101 references
TL;DR
The review gives a general description of drug delivery systems that are based on nanotechnology, with liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles being the main examples of nanocarriers.
Abstract
Nanotechnology has become a revolutionary technology in contemporary medicine that can provide new solutions to the inefficiency of the traditional drug delivery systems. Nanoscale properties enable precise drug targeting, controlled release, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. The review gives a general description of drug delivery systems that are based on nanotechnology, with liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles being the main examples of nanocarriers. Critical discussions are made of their design strategies, drug loading capacities, release mechanisms and therapeutic advantages. In addition, more recent technological developments in the areas of targeted delivery, such as ligand-mediated delivery and stimuli-responsive systems, are discussed in the treatment of various diseases in cancer, infections, and neurological conditions. Despite significant advancements, there are still issues of toxicity, stability, large-scale production, and regulatory issues, which are impediments to clinical translation. In general, the field of nanotechnology offers a potential platform in improving therapeutic efficacy and development of biomaterial-based medical applications.
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have become an important component of modern nanomedicine, enabling improved drug protection, controlled release, targeted delivery, and the modulation of pharmacokinetic behavior. Their therapeutic performance is governed by physicochemical properties such as size, shape, surface chemistry, and material composition, which influence biological interactions, biodistribution, cellular uptake, and clearance. This review examines major nanoparticle platforms, including polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic, carbon-based, and hybrid systems, together with passive and active targeting and endogenous and externally triggered release strategies. Current and emerging applications in oncology, infectious diseases, central nervous system disorders, gene therapy, and vaccines are discussed alongside theranostic and combination-delivery approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and digital twins for formulation optimization and personalized nanomedicine. Key barriers to clinical translation, including manufacturing scalability, biological variability, limitations of EPR-mediated targeting, regulatory standardization, and long-term safety, are critically evaluated. Finally, emerging directions in sustainable nanomanufacturing and biomimetic delivery are discussed. By integrating biological mechanisms with computational, manufacturing, regulatory, and clinical considerations, this review provides a translational perspective on advancing nanoparticle drug-delivery systems from laboratory development toward clinical implementation.
Subin Antony Jose, Benjamin Crutchfield, M. Caballero et al.· Molecules· 0 citations
The recent developments, therapeutic applications, challenges, and future perspectives of Nanoparticle based cancer drug delivery systems are summarized.
H. G, M. K., R. Palaniswamy· International Journal of Cur...· 0 citations
Abstract Background and purpose From the early use of liposomes in the 1960s to modern nucleic acid delivery platforms, nanotechnology has shown its value in drug delivery and diagnostic applications. A wide range of nanostructures has been investigated for drug delivery, including inorganic, polymeric and lipid-based nanomaterials. While some of these nanomaterials have reached more advanced stages of clinical development, some even reaching commercialization, new alternatives are continuously being explored. Approach This review describes the different categories of nanomaterials being used as nanocarriers and provides concrete representative examples of commercially approved products. Key results Current trends of nanotechnology developments in the pharmaceutical market largely focus on the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, lipid nanoparticle platforms are gaining relevance in current development pipelines. However, some of the main challenges limiting clinical translation include manufacturability, scale-up, long-term stability, regulatory uncertainty, intellectual property issues and the lack of representative preclinical study models. Conclusion Nanotechnology has become a fundamental breakthrough in medicine, especially for advanced therapies such as gene silencing or gene editing alternatives. All things considered, no universal nanocarrier fits all biomedical applications; the evolution of the field depends on several platforms demonstrating their individual potential.
Ronny Vargas, Fabiola Martos-Kikut, Noelia Martínez-Martínez et al.· ADMET and DMPK· 0 citations
This review comprehensively examines major nanocarrier platforms, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid systems, with emphasis on their structural design and functional properties.
Nithya Ajay, Anu Shibi Anilkumar, R. Veerabathiran· Therapeutic delivery· 0 citations
Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative frontier for detecting and treating various types of tumours more accurately. As a leading technology, nanotechnology assists in overcoming the issues linked with traditional antitumor drug systems. Nanocarriers (NCs) are colloidal systems developed for precise drug delivery; their main objective is to surpass the protective and efficient barriers.
Nanocarriers have been widely studied over the last few decades as they are highly helpful and play an important role in drug delivery across different fields. They show better performance compared to other methods by overcoming the limitations related to low targeting ability, damage to healthy cells, toxicity, and immediate drug release.
To achieve this goal, novel NCs like microemulsions, vesicular (liposomes), and nanoparticular NCs are created and explored. These new NCs have unique improved penetration and retention in the tumour tissue. Nano-therapy has advanced the delivery of chemotherapeutic medicines in cancer. Additionally, their uses in many other therapeutic areas have been remarkable, and there is yet much more to be discovered to facilitate their successful clinical translation.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, Nanocarriers, Targeted therapy, Cancer therapeutics
Shalu Tiwari, Abhijeet Ojha, A. Singh et al.· Journal of Drug Delivery and...· 0 citations
Nanocarriers have revolutionized the field of targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy, offering
enhanced specificity and reduced side effects compared to traditional treatments. These nanoscale
delivery systems, including liposomes, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles, are engineered
to deliver chemotherapeutic agents directly to cancer cells, thus sparing healthy tissues. The
ability of nanocarriers to enhance the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of anticancer drugs
has led to significant improvements in therapeutic outcomes and patient quality of life. Innovations
in nanocarrier technology have focused on improving targeting efficiency and drug release
mechanisms. Active targeting strategies, such as ligand-receptor interactions, enable nanocarriers
to selectively bind to cancer cell surface markers, enhancing drug accumulation in tumor tissues.
Additionally, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, which release their payload in response to specific
internal or external triggers (e.g., pH, temperature, or light), provide controlled and on-demand
drug release, minimizing systemic toxicity and improving therapeutic efficacy. Recent
advancements include the development of multifunctional nanocarriers capable of simultaneous
imaging and therapy (theranostics), which allow for real-time monitoring of drug delivery and
treatment response. These innovations are paving the way for personalized cancer therapy, where
treatment regimens can be tailored to the individual patient's tumor profile and disease
progression. Despite the promising potential, several challenges remain in the clinical translation
of nanocarrier-based therapies. Manufacturing complexities, scalability issues, and stringent
regulatory requirements pose significant barriers to commercialization. Additionally, biological
challenges such as immune system recognition and clearance, potential toxicity, and the
heterogeneity of tumor environments complicate the effective design and application of
nanocarriers. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating
advances in materials science, biomedical engineering, and clinical oncology. Ongoing research
efforts are focused on optimizing nanocarrier design for enhanced biocompatibility, targeted
delivery, and therapeutic efficiency. Collaborative efforts between academia, industry, and regulatory agencies are essential to overcome these hurdles and fully realize the potential of
nanocarriers in cancer therapy. In conclusion, while nanocarriers offer significant advancements
in targeted cancer therapy, their successful clinical implementation depends on overcoming
various scientific, technical, and regulatory challenges. Continued innovation and collaborative
efforts will be crucial in translating these promising technologies from bench to bedside, ultimately
improving cancer treatment outcomes and patient care
Busayo Olamide Tomoh· International Journal of Med...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
