Antiviral nanomedicine: Advantages, mechanisms and advanced therapies

The emergence of novel viral pathogens and the limitations of conventional antiviral therapies necessitate innovative strategies to combat persistent and pandemic threats. This review details the role of viral infections and antiviral nanomedicines, delving into the mechanisms of action and antiviral advantages of nanomedicines, as well as the latest research advances in this field. The review systematically categorizes the mechanisms of antiviral nanodrugs into a framework that integrates previously fragmented knowledge, and innovatively summarizes the unique attributes and advantages of antiviral nanodrugs compared to small-molecule drugs. Nanotherapies are proposed in this review to conclude advanced nanoantivirals (e.g., light-activated nanophotosensitizers, biomimetic decoys, PROTAC-based degraders, and gene-silencing platforms) and offer a distinctive narrative perspective, with the aim of presenting a merged and integrated overview of nanodrugs. By intuitively highlighting their commonalities in mechanisms or similarities in application methods, readers may better appreciate the innovative characteristics of different antivirals. We further discuss translational challenges and propose interdisciplinary solutions and future directions to accelerate the development of next-generation antiviral strategies. This review aims to inspire transformative research at the nexus of virology, nanotechnology, and precision medicine.