Advancements in Carbon Nanotube-based Drug Delivery Systems: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as extremely promising nanocarriers for drug delivery due to their superior structural, mechanical, and electrical capabilities. This study digs into recent advances in CNT-based drug delivery systems, focusing on novel functionalization strategies, hybrid nanostructures, and customized nanocarrier designs. Functionalization using polymers, peptides, and other bioactive compounds has dramatically improved CNT solubility, biocompatibility, and precise targeting. Furthermore, hybrid nanostructures that combine CNTs with nanoparticles, liposomes, or metallic components have higher drug-loading capacities, multifunctional therapeutic effectiveness, and controlled drug-release features. CNTs may be customized in size, shape, and surface chemistry, allowing for the development of precise delivery systems that are particularly useful in cancer and complicated disease therapy. However, despite these advances, cytotoxicity, regulatory limits, and difficulty with large-scale manufacturing impede clinical translation. Sustainable methods, thorough safety assessments, and advanced technology like artificial intelligence to maximize functionality and design are all necessary to overcome these obstacles. Future research should focus on overcoming these hurdles to fully realize CNTs' potential as flexible, effective, and safe nanocarriers in drug delivery applications.