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Nanotherapeutic Heterogeneity: Sources, Effects, and Solutions
Judit Morla-Folch1,2, Anna Ranzenigo1,2, Zahi Adel Fayad1,2
1Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 5, 2023
Summary
Nanotherapeutic batches are often heterogeneous, impacting drug delivery and efficacy. This review explores the causes and consequences of this heterogeneity, offering strategies for developing more consistent and effective nanomedicines.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nanomaterials offer precise control over drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and biocompatibility in medicine.
- However, significant heterogeneity in nanoparticle size, shape, charge, composition, and ligand functionalization is common in nanotherapeutic batches.
- This heterogeneity extends to individual nanotherapeutics, affecting component distribution and surface properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the sources and effects of nanotherapeutic heterogeneity.
- To examine the impact of heterogeneity on experimental outcomes and therapeutic efficacy.
- To provide recommendations for developing more reproducible and effective nanotherapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of nanotherapeutic heterogeneity.
- Analysis of factors contributing to heterogeneity in nanoparticle systems.
- Evaluation of the influence of heterogeneity on in vitro and in vivo performance.
- Review of strategies to mitigate nanotherapeutic heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Heterogeneity is a pervasive issue across nearly all types of nanotherapeutics.
- Nanotherapeutic heterogeneity significantly influences in vitro and in vivo behavior and experimental readouts.
- Existing heterogeneity complicates nanotherapeutic optimization and clinical translation.
- Various strategies exist to limit nanotherapeutic heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Addressing nanotherapeutic heterogeneity is crucial for advancing nanomedicine.
- Understanding heterogeneity's origins and impacts is key to developing reliable nanotherapeutics.
- Implementing strategies to control heterogeneity will improve reproducibility and clinical success.
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