Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged across the pharmaceutical industry as promising vehicles to deliver a variety of therapeutics. Currently in the spotlight as vital components of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, LNPs play a key role in effectively protecting and transporting mRNA to cells. Liposomes, an early version of LNPs, are a versatile nanomedicine delivery platform. A number of liposomal drugs have been approved and applied to medical practice. Subsequent generations of lipid nanocarriers, such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes, exhibit more complex architectures and enhanced physical stabilities. With their ability to encapsulate and deliver therapeutics to specific locations within the body and to release their contents at a desired time, LNPs provide a valuable platform for treatment of a variety of diseases. Here, we present a landscape of LNP-related scientific publications, including patents and journal articles, based on analysis of the CAS Content Collection, the largest human-curated collection of published scientific knowledge. Rising trends are identified, such as nanostructured lipid carriers and solid lipid nanoparticles becoming the preferred platforms for numerous formulations. Recent advancements in LNP formulations as drug delivery platforms, such as antitumor and nucleic acid therapeutics and vaccine delivery systems, are discussed. Challenges and growth opportunities are also evaluated in other areas, such as medical imaging, cosmetics, nutrition, and agrochemicals. This report is intended to serve as a useful resource for those interested in LNP nanotechnologies, their applications, and the global research effort for their development.
Highlights
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged across the pharmaceutical industry as promising vehicles to deliver a variety of therapeutics
We provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding LNP structures and properties, primarily from the viewpoint of their pharmaceutical applications
We present a landscape of LNP-related research based on a thorough analysis of the CAS Content Collection.[1,2]
Summary
Since liposomes are made of lipids and in most cases are nanosized, they are rightfully considered as the earliest generation of lipid nanoparticles. The potential of liposomes as drug delivery systems was recognized almost immediately after their discovery. For cancer treatment exhibit low solubility in water, so the benefits of drug delivery systems capable of encapsulating these drugs and enhancing their aqueous solubilities was immediately appreciated. Liposomes have been used in numerous clinical trials to deliver anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antifungal, anesthetic, and other drugs and gene therapies. Phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylserines, and phosphatidylglycerols, along with stabilizers such as cholesterol, are common liposome substituents. Mono-, di-, and triglyceride mixtures Witeposol bases Glyceryl stearates (Imwitor 900) Glyceryl behenates (Compritol 888 ATO) Glyceryl palmitostearates (Precirol ATO 5)
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