Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery

Fundamentals of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery.- Physicochemical Principles of Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems.- Block Copolymer Synthesis for Nanoscale Drug and Gene Delivery.- Supercritical Fluid Technology for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery.- Nanotubes, Nanorods, Nanofibers, and Fullerenes for Nanoscale Drug Delivery.- Drug Loading into and In Vitro Release from Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems.- Nanotechnology-Based Biosensors in Drug Delivery.- Biopharmaceutical, Physiological, and Clinical Considerations for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery.- Nanomaterials and Biocompatibility: BioMEMS and Dendrimers.- Nanomaterials and Biocompatibility: Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes.- Factors Controlling Pharmacokinetics of Intravenously Injected Nanoparticulate Systems.- Controlled Release and Nanotechnology.- Nanotechnology for Intracellular Delivery and Targeting.- Nanotechnology for the Delivery of Small Molecules, Proteins and Nucleic Acids.- Nano-sized Advanced Delivery Systems as Parenteral Formulation Strategies for Hydrophobic Anti-cancer Drugs.- Engineering of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for Drug and Gene Delivery.- PAMAM Dendrimers as Nanoscale Oral Drug Delivery Systems.- Nanoemulsions for Intravenous Drug Delivery.- Nanotechnology for Cancer Chemotherapy.- Nanotechnology for Cancer Vaccine Delivery.- Stimuli-Sensitive Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery.- A Look to the Future of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery.- Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery: Past, Present, and Future.- Nanotechnology in Drug Development and Life Cycle Management.- Nanopharmaceuticals: Challenges and Regulatory Perspective.

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the field of drug delivery by enabling targeted and controlled release of drugs within the body. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and their potential applications. It discusses the various types of nanoparticles that are currently being used or developed for drug delivery, including liposomes, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles, and highlights their advantages and disadvantages. It also covers some of the key challenges and risks associated with the use of nanotechnology in drug delivery, such as toxicity and regulatory issues. Finally, the article explores the future prospects of nanotechnology in drug delivery and highlights some of the areas where further research and development are needed. Overall, the article demonstrates that nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems hold great promise for improving the efficacy and safety of drug treatments and that ongoing research in this field has the potential to transform the way we approach drug delivery in the future. Finally, it's envisaged that this technology will facilitate the augmentation of precision medicine for better human health care across the spectrum of diseases.

Nanoparticles hold tremendous potential as an effective drug delivery system. In this review we discussed recent developments in nanotechnology for drug delivery. To overcome the problems of gene and drug delivery, nanotechnology has gained interest in recent years. Nanosystems with different compositions and biological properties have been extensively investigated for drug and gene delivery applications. To achieve efficient drug delivery it is important to understand the interactions of nanomaterials with the biological environment, targeting cell-surface receptors, drug release, multiple drug administration, stability of therapeutic agents and molecular mechanisms of cell signalling involved in pathobiology of the disease under consideration. Several anti-cancer drugs including paclitaxel, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and dexamethasone have been successfully formulated using nanomaterials. Quantom dots, chitosan, Polylactic/glycolic acid (PLGA) and PLGA-based nanoparticles have also been used for in vitro RNAi delivery. Brain cancer is one of the most difficult malignancies to detect and treat mainly because of the difficulty in getting imaging and therapeutic agents past the blood-brain barrier and into the brain. Anti-cancer drugs such as loperamide and doxorubicin bound to nanomaterials have been shown to cross the intact blood-brain barrier and released at therapeutic concentrations in the brain. The use of nanomaterials including peptide-based nanotubes to target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor and cell adhesion molecules like integrins, cadherins and selectins, is a new approach to control disease progression.

This new innovative technique has had revolutionary impact on the management of prevalent diseases. CancerAccording to a report published in 2013 an average of 1,660,290 fresh cancer cases were reported to occur in the United States alone in that year [8].Another report published in the same year [9], segregated the types of cancer according to the most prevalent one in accordance to the geographical region.Cervix cancer was highly reported in Africa and prostate cancer in North America, whereas stomach cancer was highly recognized in Eastern Asia [9].The staggering numbers of patients suffering from cancer only emphasized the need for development of a novel drug delivery system with enhanced specificity, improved therapeutic efficacy and decreased side effects.

Smart nanocarriers have been designed for tissue-specific targeted drug delivery, sustained or triggered drug release and co-delivery of synergistic drug combinations to develop safer and more efficient therapeutics. Advances in drug delivery systems provide reduced side effects, longer circulation half-life and improved pharmacokinetics. Smart drug delivery systems have been achieved successfully in the case of cancer. These nanocarriers can serve as an intelligent system by considering the differences of tumor microenvironment from healthy tissue, such as low pH, low oxygen level, or high enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases. The performance of anti-cancer agents used in cancer diagnosis and therapy is improved by enhanced cellular internalization of smart nanocarriers and controlled drug release. Here, we review targeting, cellular internalization; controlled drug release and toxicity of smart drug delivery systems. We are also emphasizing the stimulus responsive controlled drug release from smart nanocarriers.

The use of the one-of-a-kind qualities possessed by substances at the nanoscale is the core concept of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has become increasingly popular in various business sectors because it enables better construction and more advanced product design. Nanomedicine is the name given to the application of nanotechnology in the medical and healthcare fields. It has been used to fight against some of the most prevalent diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This current manuscript provides an overview of the recent advancements in nanotechnology in drug delivery and imaging.

Porous silica particles grafted with various stimuli-responsive polymers are investigated with great interest for their use as smart pharmaceutical nanocarriers in advanced drug delivery systems (DDS). In particular, porous silica particles grafted with thermoresponsive polymers that exhibit thermally triggered on/off gating mechanisms have shown improved performance as hybrid DDS capable of controlling the release of different drugs in various mediums which resemble complex biological environments. In addition, the tuning of the drug release profiles as per requirements has proved possible with modifications to the porous core and the grafted thermoresponsive polymers. This highlight presents a brief discussion of basic preparation techniques and some recent significant developments in the field of thermoresponsive polymer grafted porous silica particles as smart pharmaceutical nanocarriers.

This study examined the clinical value of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems in perioperative and postoperative surgical care, with a focus on targeted therapeutics and controlled release nanocarriers. Using a descriptive–analytical quantitative research design, data were collected from 115 healthcare professionals working in surgical and postoperative settings through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. The results revealed strong positive perceptions regarding the effectiveness of targeted nanotechnology, particularly in improving drug localization, enhancing therapeutic precision, increasing bioavailability, and reducing systemic side effects. Findings also demonstrated that controlled release nanocarriers significantly contribute to maintaining stable postoperative drug levels, minimizing fluctuations in therapeutic effects, reducing breakthrough pain and infections, and improving patient adherence to treatment regimens. Overall, the study provides evidence that nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic consistency, improve postoperative outcomes, and support more efficient and patient-centered surgical care, highlighting their broad clinical applicability and potential for integration into routine surgical practice.

23 - Nanotechnology for pulmonary and nasal drug delivery

The practice of nano-technology to deliver drugs has materialized as a viable pathway to overcome obstacles posed by traditional drug delivery. Nanomaterials have unusual physiochemical properties that allow for enhanced drug bioavailability, targeted drug delivery, and increased therapeutic effectiveness. The discussion in this chapter includes: general considerations in nanotechnology and drug delivery, a discussion of nanoparticles as drug-carriers and the practice of nanocarriers in drug-delivery. Applications of nanocarrier drug delivery techniques are illustrated concerning the treatment of cancer, gene therapy, immunotherapy and communicable disease therapy.

Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a transformative technology in drug delivery, offering advancements in precision medicine, especially in managing chronic diseases and gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. Due to their unique properties and the ability to be engineered at the nanoscale, NPs provide enhanced targeting, controlled release, and reduced side effects compared to traditional drug delivery systems. Aim: This review aims to summarize recent innovations in nanoparticle technology and their applications in drug delivery systems, with a focus on gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: The review synthesizes current literature on NP technologies and their applications in treating GIT disorders. It covers a range of nanocarriers, including metal and polymeric NPs, liposomes, hydrogels, and lipid nanoparticles. The review evaluates their effectiveness, challenges, and advancements in GIT drug delivery. Results: Recent advancements in NP technology have demonstrated significant potential in improving drug delivery to the GIT. Innovations include pH-sensitive NPs, enzyme-responsive NPs, and targeted formulations for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. Lipid nanoparticles, including solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), have shown promise in enhancing stability, targeting, and drug release profiles.

Chapter 11 - Nanotechnology in retinal drug delivery

Chapter 15 - Smart nanocarriers in glucose transporters-targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

Malaria continued to be a major global health challenge, particularly in regions with high disease burden, despite advancements in treatment options such as Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs). The emergence of nanotechnology offered a transformative approach to malaria treatment, with its potential to improve drug delivery, bioavailability, and therapeutic outcomes. This review examined the current applications and advancements in nanotechnology for malaria treatment, focusing on the use of nanocarriers like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles. These systems enhanced the efficacy of antimalarial drugs by enabling targeted delivery to malaria-infected cells, overcoming drug resistance, and offering controlled release mechanisms. The review also explored emerging strategies such as combination therapies, personalized nanomedicine, responsive nanoparticles, and vaccine delivery systems. While nanotechnology holds great promise, challenges including safety, scalability, regulatory hurdles, and cost were addressed. Future directions suggest innovations such as smart nanocarriers, personalized treatments, and enhanced diagnostic integration. Methodologically, this review synthesized data from recent preclinical and clinical research to provide a comprehensive analysis of nanotechnology’s role in advancing malaria treatment. Global collaboration and interdisciplinary research will be pivotal in realizing the full potential of nanotechnology in combating malaria. Keywords: Nanotechnology, malaria treatment, drug delivery systems, liposomes, nanoparticles, targeted therapy, drug resistance

Nanotechnology in drug delivery has been manifested into nanoparticles that can have unique properties both in vitro and in vivo, especially in targeted drug delivery to tumors. Numerous nanoparticle formulations have been designed and tested to great effect in small animal models, but the translation of the small animal results to clinical success has been limited. Successful translation requires revisiting the meaning of nanotechnology in drug delivery, understanding the limitations of nanoparticles, identifying the misconceptions pervasive in the field, and facing inconvenient truths. Nanoparticle approaches can have real impact in improving drug delivery by focusing on the problems at hand, such as enhancing their drug loading capacity, affinity to target cells, and spatiotemporal control of drug release.