Drug delivery to inflammation based on nanoparticles surface decorated with biomolecules

Anti-inflammatory molecules often display little affinity for inflamed tissues, leading to low accumulation into this site of action (and inefficiency), and high incidence of severe side effects. To face the problem, numerous strategies have been proposed, i.e., chemical modifications to the drug molecule, and engineering of drug nanocarriers. The later approach to the problem can result in optimized drug biodistribution and concentration into the target region, thus enhancing the anti-inflammatory effect while reducing the associated drug toxicity. Such nanoparticulate systems offer remarkable possibilities when they are made of biodegradable polymers, lipid-based structures, and/or inorganic particles. Recent advances in the field have been devoted to the optimization of the in vivo fate and effectiveness of these drug nanocarriers, e.g., passive targeting strategies based on the functionalization of nanoparticle surface with special biomolecules. In this contribution, we analyze the possibilities and future perspectives of nanoparticle therapy in inflammatory processes.