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Biotransporting Biocatalytic Reactors toward Therapeutic Nanofactories
Tomoki Nishimura1,2, Kazunari Akiyoshi1,2
1Department of Polymer Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University Katsura Nishikyo-ku Kyoto 615-8510 Japan.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|November 28, 2018
Summary
Nanoreactors and nanofactories offer advanced drug delivery systems by converting prodrugs into active agents at disease sites. These systems improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects for various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Drug-delivery systems (DDSs) utilize nanoparticles for targeted therapeutic delivery, enhancing efficacy and minimizing side effects.
- Despite advancements, novel DDS approaches are crucial for expanding treatment scope and effectiveness.
- Nanoreactors and nanofactories represent emerging strategies in advanced drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the essential features of nanofactories.
- To provide an overview of nanoreactor design and fabrication strategies.
- To review in vivo applications of biocatalytic reactors in disease treatment.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of required features for nanofactories.
- Overview of fabrication strategies for various nanoreactor types (lipid/polymer vesicles, capsules, mesoporous silica, viral capsids, hydrogels).
- Review of in vivo applications and case studies.
Main Results:
- Nanoreactors enable prodrug conversion to therapeutic agents, offering enhanced functionality over simple drug delivery.
- Various nanoreactor platforms (vesicles, capsules, silica, capsids, hydrogels) present distinct advantages and limitations.
- Biocatalytic reactors show promise in treating cancer, glaucoma, neuropathic pain, and alcohol intoxication.
Conclusions:
- Nanofactories integrate nanoreactor and delivery carrier functions for sophisticated therapeutic delivery.
- Continued research into nanoreactor design and fabrication is essential for optimizing their therapeutic potential.
- Biocatalytic nanoreactors hold significant promise for future clinical applications across diverse diseases.
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