Abstract
Nanomedicine has emerged as a rapidly advancing field at the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine, offering innovative approaches for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This review article explores the current trends in nanomedicine, focusing on recent developments in nanoparticle-based therapeutics, nano diagnostics, and nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery systems. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects of nanomedicine, highlighting the potential impact on healthcare and personalized medicine.
Keywords: Nanomedicine, Drug delivery, Nano diagnostics, Liposomes, Quantum dots
Conflict of Interest: None declared
Source of Support: None declared
Introduction
Nanomedicine has revolutionized the healthcare landscape by providing novel tools and techniques for early disease detection, precise drug delivery, and targeted therapy. The unique properties exhibited by nanomaterials at the nanoscale, such as large surface area-to-volume ratio, tunable physicochemical properties, and enhanced stability, have facilitated their application in diverse biomedical applications.[1] This review aims to shed light on the current trends in nanomedicine and their potential implications in the field of medicine.
Nanoparticle-based Therapeutics
One of the prominent trends in nanomedicine is the development of nanoparticle-based therapeutics. Nanoparticles can be engineered to encapsulate therapeutic agents, enabling targeted delivery to specific cells or tissues. This approach offers several advantages, including improved drug solubility, enhanced drug stability, prolonged circulation time, and reduced systemic toxicity. Recent advancements have led to the development of various types of nanoparticles, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and metallic nanoparticles, for delivering a wide range of therapeutic payloads, including small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and gene-editing tools.[2] Abraxane is a chemotherapy drug formulated using nanotechnology. It consists of paclitaxel, a commonly used anti-cancer drug, encapsulated in albumin nanoparticles. This formulation improves the drug’s solubility, increases its circulation time in the body, and enhances its effectiveness against certain types of cancer.[3]
Liposomes, composed of lipid bilayers, are versatile nanocarriers widely used for drug delivery.[4] They can encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs within their aqueous core and lipid layers, respectively. The surface of liposomes can be modified with targeting ligands to enhance their specificity towards diseased cells. Doxil (liposomal doxorubicin) is a liposomal for mulation of the chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin used in the treatment of various cancers. The main challenge with Doxil was its stability during storage and transportation. The liposomes were found to leak the drug, leading to reduced efficacy and potential safety concerns.[5]
Polymeric nanoparticles, on the other hand, are formed by the self-assembly of biocompatible polymers and offer tunable properties, controlled drug release, and improved stability. Metallic nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles, have unique optical and physicochemical properties that have been harnessed for various therapeutic applications, including photothermal therapy and targeted drug delivery. Silver nanoparticles possess potent antimicrobial properties. They can inhibit the growth of a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Due to their small size, silver nanoparticles can penetrate microbial cell membranes, disrupt cellular processes, and kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens. As a result, they have been investigated for various applications, including wound dressings, antibacterial coatings on medical devices, and disinfectants.[6]
1 Department of Pharmacology, MLN Medical College, Prayagraj
Corresponding author: Dr. Sabahat Hasan, Department of Pharmacology, MLN Medical College, Prayagraj
Email: drshs2019@gmail.com
Nano Diagnostics
Nanotechnology has revolutionized diagnostic techniques by enabling the development of highly sensitive and specific nano diagnostics. Nanoparticles functionalized with targeting ligands and imaging probes have been employed for the early detection of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and infectious diseases. These nano diagnostics offer improved sensitivity, multiplexing capabilities, and the potential for real-time monitoring of disease progression. Moreover, the integration of nano diagnostics with other modalities, such as imaging and biosensing technologies, has shown great promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and enabling point-of-care testing.
Quantum dots (QDs) and semiconductor nanocrystals have gained significant attention as nano diagnostics due to their unique optical properties. QDs emit bright and stable fluorescence, enabling sensitive detection of biomarkers. They can be conjugated with targeting ligands and antibodies to specifically bind to disease-associated molecules. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have also emerged as powerful tools for disease diagnosis, as they can be utilized for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic particle imaging (MPI), and magnetic biosensing.[7]MNPs can be functionalized with biomolecules, enabling specific targeting and detection of disease markers.
Nanotechnology-enabled Drug Delivery Systems
Effective drug delivery is crucial for maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution to overcome various challenges associated with conventional drug formulations. Nanocarriers, such as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and dendrimers, can protect drugs from degradation, enhance their bioavailability, and enable targeted delivery to diseased sites. Furthermore, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers that release drugs in response to specific triggers, such as pH, temperature, or enzymes, have been developed to improve therapeutic outcomes.[8] These systems hold great potential for personalized medicine, as they can be tailored to individual patient characteristics and disease profiles.
Polymeric nanoparticles have shown promise in the delivery of anticancer drugs, allowing for controlled release and enhanced tumour targeting. Liposomes have been extensively investigated for the delivery of drugs to treat various diseases, including infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders. Dendrimers, three-dimensional highly branched polymers, have unique properties that make them suitable for drug delivery, gene therapy, and imaging applications. These nanocarriers can be modified by targeting ligands and functional groups to achieve specific delivery and controlled release.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the tremendous progress in nanomedicine, several challenges need to be addressed for its widespread implementation. These include regulatory considerations, long-term safety assessments, scalability of manufacturing processes, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the translation of nanomedicine from bench to bedside requires close collaboration among scientists, clinicians, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders.[9]
Looking ahead, nanomedicine is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming healthcare. The integration of nanotechnology with artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital health technologies offers new avenues for personalized medicine and precise therapeutics. Furthermore, the advent of nanomedicine holds the potential to revolutionize fields such as regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and tissue engineering.
Conclusion
Nanomedicine has ushered in a new era of medical advancements, providing innovative solutions for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The current trends in nanomedicine, including nanoparticle-based therapeutics, nano diagnostics, and nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery systems, offer remarkable opportunities to improve patient outcomes. As researchers continue to explore and overcome the challenges associated with nanomedicine, it is anticipated that this field will play a transformative role in personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, and other areas of healthcare in the near future.
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