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Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Bridging the Bio-Electronic Interface with Biofabrication
Published on: June 6, 2012
Biotinylated chitosan macromolecule based nanosystems: A review from chemical design to biological targets
1Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115, Romania.
Abstract:
World Health Organization estimates that 30-50% of cancers are preventable by healthy lifestyle choices, early detection and adequate therapy. When the conventional therapeutic strategies are still regulated by the lack of selectivity, multidrug resistance and severe toxic side effects, nanotechnology grants a new frontier for cancer management since it targets cancer cells and spares healthy tissues. This review highlights recent studies using biotin molecule combined with functional nanomaterials used in biomedical applications, with a particular attention on biotinylated chitosan-based nanosystems. Succinctly, this review focuses on five areas of recent advances in biotin engineering: (a) biotin features, (b) biotinylation approaches, (c) biotin functionalized chitosan based nanosystems for drug and gene delivery functions, (d) diagnostic and theranostic perspectives, and (e) author's inputs to the biotin-chitosan based tumour-targeting drug delivery structures. Precisely engineered biotinylated-chitosan macromolecules shaped into nanosystems are anticipated to emerge as next-generation platforms for treatment and molecular imaging modalities applications.
Insights
Nanotechnology offers a new approach to cancer treatment by targeting cancer cells. Biotinylated chitosan-based nanosystems show promise for advanced drug delivery and molecular imaging in oncology.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Conventional cancer therapies face challenges like limited selectivity and severe side effects.
- Nanotechnology provides targeted cancer cell management, sparing healthy tissues.
- Biotin, a vitamin, is explored for its potential in targeted drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in using biotin with functional nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
- To focus on biotinylated chitosan-based nanosystems for cancer management.
- To discuss the application of biotin engineering in drug delivery, diagnostics, and theranostics.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on biotinylation and nanomaterial applications.
- Analysis of biotinylated chitosan-based nanosystems for drug and gene delivery.
- Exploration of diagnostic and theranostic applications of these nanosystems.
Main Results:
- Biotinylation strategies enhance the targeting capabilities of nanomaterials.
- Biotinylated chitosan nanosystems demonstrate potential for effective drug and gene delivery.
- These systems show promise for both cancer diagnosis and therapy (theranostics).
Conclusions:
- Precisely engineered biotinylated-chitosan nanosystems represent a next-generation platform for cancer treatment.
- These advanced systems are expected to improve molecular imaging modalities.
- The integration of biotin with chitosan nanotechnology offers a promising future for targeted cancer therapies.

