Nanotechnologies for site specific drug delivery: Changing the narrative

This account of issues in the field of nanotechnologies for specific drug delivery is concerned mainly with its diverse literature. It is a prelude to proposing guidelines to ensure that papers are written acknowledging first the complexity of the task, and second that as there is no such thing as a generic nanoparticle, nor a typical drug, nor standard targets, generalisations are rarely possible. The objective is to discuss some trends which have led to over-confident extrapolations of experimental work in animals to treatment. It is argued that a greater appreciation of the physics, biology and pharmaceutics involved could clarify the sense of any work done and the manner in which this is conveyed in publications. The essential content to be addressed in publications is outlined.