Recent advances in the detection and treatment of hydatid cysts by nanomaterial-based carriers

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic disease. Although several therapeutic approaches are available for CE, including PAIR (Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, Re-aspiration), surgery, chemotherapy with anthelmintic drugs, and waiting for inactive cysts, these methods face challenges, and treatment choices remain debated. Regarding chemotherapy, especially with albendazole (ABZ) as the first-line drug, efficacy is limited by poor solubility and low bioavailability. Recently, nanoparticle (NP)-based systems, or nanocarriers, have attracted much interest in drug delivery, with ABZ as the main focus. This review summarizes the latest progress in developing diverse nanocarrier systems, such as liposomes, polymeric NPs (PNPs), and metallic NPs, highlighting their potential for scolicidal activity and for improving therapeutic approaches for CE. In addition, diagnostic methods, including imaging techniques and serological tests, as well as emerging nanotechnology-based approaches such as biosensors and nanosensors, are briefly discussed to provide a more comprehensive perspective on CE management. Subsequently, the prospects and challenges of drug-loaded nanocarriers for the treatment of CE are briefly discussed to further encourage their use as a means to improve drug delivery performance in CE therapy.