The Nanocarrier Landscape─Evaluating Key Drug Delivery Vehicles and Their Capabilities: A Translational Perspective
Fahd Khalid-Salako1, Soodeh Salimi Khaligh1, Farzaneh Fathi2
1SUNUM Nanotechnology Research and Application Centre, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 17, 2025
Summary
Nanomedicine is advancing rapidly, with nanoparticles offering superior drug delivery. This review covers key nanoparticle types, their benefits, and challenges for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
Background:
- Nanoparticles offer significant advantages over traditional drug delivery systems.
- The field of nanomedicine is experiencing a revolutionary phase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To aggregate contemporary knowledge of nanoparticles in drug delivery.
- To provide an up-to-date assessment of critical nanoparticles in drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search focusing on the last 5 years.
- Review of prevalent nanoparticles: polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic, and carbon-based.
Main Results:
- Overview of nanoparticle types, their benefits, and limitations.
- Insights into nanocarrier technology, clinical applications, and development barriers.
Conclusions:
- Gaps exist in developing biocompatible/biodegradable nanoparticles and scalable manufacturing.
- Regulatory challenges and interdisciplinary collaboration are crucial for adoption.
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The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
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01:24Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
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Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
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01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
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Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection, and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
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01:29Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
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