Nanodiscs for drug delivery

Lipid nanodiscs have emerged as a versatile and promising tool for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility, structural flexibility, and ability to mimic native cell membrane environments. These nanoscale assemblies, composed of lipid bilayers stabilized by scaffold amphipathic proteins, peptides, synthetic polymers, or saponins, offer a stable membrane mimetic system for encapsulating hydrophobic drugs and membrane proteins. Ongoing research continues to expand the diversity of nanodisc formulations, each with distinct advantages and limitations. Their tunable size, surface functionality, dynamic lipid exchange, and ability to incorporate various lipids and membrane components make them suitable for targeted delivery and controlled drug release under physiological conditions. Recent advances underscore their potential in cancer therapy, antimicrobial delivery, and vaccine development, areas where conventional carriers often fall short. This review discusses the recent developments of lipid nanodiscs for drug delivery, focusing on design strategies, functionalization methods, and key challenges for potential clinical translation.