Lipid Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug Delivery

Lipid nanocarriers constitute a versatile class of nanoscale vehicles designed to encapsulate therapeutic agents within a biocompatible lipid matrix. These systems include solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and lipid nanocapsules, each defined by the physical state of their lipid core and the composition of their surfactant shell. Fabrication techniques such as phase inversion and solvent displacement yield particles typically in the 20–200 nm range, with narrow size distributions and tunable surface properties. By exploiting the enhanced permeability and retention effect, unmodified lipid nanocarriers passively accumulate in tumour tissue, while active targeting is achieved through surface conjugation of ligands—such as peptides, antibodies or aptamers—that bind overexpressed receptors on specific cell types. Surface coatings (for example polyethylene glycol or cell-derived membranes) further prolong circulation time and reduce immunogenicity. The lipid core affords high drug-loading capacity for hydrophobic compounds and protects labile biomolecules from premature degradation. Controlled release profiles can be engineered by altering lipid crystallinity, surfactant composition or core–shell architecture. Recent progress spans oncology, central nervous system disorders and immunotherapy, with ongoing efforts to address challenges in large-scale manufacturing, long-term stability and comprehensive safety evaluation. By enhancing therapeutic index and minimising off-target effects, lipid nanocarriers hold global significance as next-generation drug-delivery platforms.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A comparative analysis of immune interactions revealed that the choice of nanocapsule coating profoundly influences cellular responses. Three surface modifications—pluronic, chitosan and polyethylene glycol–polylactic acid—were evaluated on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Pluronic-coated nanocapsules selectively activated monocytes, while chitosan variants modulated both monocyte and T-lymphocyte behaviour. In contrast, polyethylene glycol–based shells exhibited minimal immune perturbation. These findings offer a framework for pre-selecting lipid nanocarrier coatings to elicit desired immunomodulatory effects, with direct implications for vaccine delivery and cancer immunotherapy.

Lipid Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug Delivery publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in lipid nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs): Nanocarriers composed of a solid lipid core stabilised by surfactants, offering controlled release and high biocompatibility.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): Hybrid systems combining solid and liquid lipids to increase drug-loading capacity and reduce crystallinity.

Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect: Passive accumulation of nanoparticles in tumour tissue due to fenestrated vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage.

Phase inversion method: A temperature-cycling technique that induces emulsification through reversible changes in lipid-surfactant polarity.

Polydispersity index (PdI): A dimensionless measure of the uniformity of particle size distribution; values below 0.2 indicate narrow dispersity.

Zeta potential: The electrical potential at the slipping plane of a particle, indicative of colloidal stability and interaction propensity with biological media.

References

1. Lipid-core nanoparticles: Classification, preparation methods, routes of administration and recent advances in cancer treatment. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (2023).
2. Functionalized retinoic acid lipid nanocapsules promotes a two-front attack on inflammation and lack of demyelination on neurodegenerative disorders. Journal of Controlled Release (2023).
3. Exploring the Impact of Nanoparticle Stealth Coatings in Cancer Models: From PEGylation to Cell Membrane-Coating Nanotechnology. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2023).
4. Immune cell impact of three differently coated lipid nanocapsules: pluronic, chitosan and polyethylene glycol. Scientific Reports (2016).
5. Structural Characterization Study of a Lipid Nanocapsule Formulation Intended for Drug Delivery Applications Using Small-Angle Scattering Techniques. Molecular Pharmaceutics (2022).