Nanomedicine Strategies for Targeted Drug Delivery

Nanomedicine has transformed the landscape of drug delivery by harnessing nanoscale vehicles to transport therapeutic agents directly to diseased tissues while minimising systemic exposure. Central strategies include the design of lipid-based carriers, polymeric and protein-based nanoparticles, and self-assembling drug conjugates. Active targeting is achieved through surface ligands that bind to overexpressed receptors on pathological cells, whereas passive targeting exploits the enhanced permeability and retention effect in leaky vasculature. Stimuli-responsive platforms release cargo in response to pH changes, redox gradients or enzymatic activity within the microenvironment of tumours or inflamed sites. Recent advances emphasise modular architectures that combine diagnostic imaging and therapeutic functions, enabling real-time monitoring of biodistribution and treatment efficacy. Integration of gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas systems, into nanocarriers offers precise modulation of disease pathways. Overall, the field is progressing towards multifunctional, biomimetic systems that navigate biological barriers, improve pharmacokinetics and reduce off-target toxicity, with broad implications for oncology, immunotherapy and personalised medicine.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the power of protein-based assemblies to elevate the performance of established chemotherapeutics. One approach linked paclitaxel to recombinant polypeptides that self-assemble into near-monodisperse nanoparticles around 60 nm in diameter. These constructs exhibited a prolonged circulation half-life, enhanced tumour accumulation and superior antitumour efficacy compared with both free drug and approved nanoformulations. In another work, dual size- and charge-transformable “Trojan Horse” nanoparticles were engineered for integrated imaging and multimodal therapy. They respond to tumour microenvironment cues by shedding protective coatings, revealing ultra-small active particles that penetrate deeply into lesions. The same platform enables near-infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance visualisation alongside photothermal, photodynamic and chemotherapy, achieving complete tumour eradication in preclinical models. These advances underscore the potential of precision-engineered nanoparticles to unify diagnosis and therapy within a single delivery vehicle.

Nanomedicine Strategies for Targeted Drug Delivery publication trend

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

Technical terms

Nanoparticle: A discrete carrier, typically 1–100 nm in diameter, used to transport therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect: Passive accumulation of nanoscale materials in regions with abnormal vasculature and impaired lymphatic drainage.

Stimuli-responsive: Property of a system to alter its structure or release cargo upon encountering specific biochemical or physical triggers.

Prodrug: A pharmacologically inactive compound that is converted into an active drug within the body, often via enzymatic or environmental cues.

π–π stacking: Noncovalent interaction between aromatic ring systems, exploited in supramolecular assembly of drug molecules.

References

1. Triterpenoids-templated self-assembly nanosystem for biomimetic delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 based on the synergy of TLR-2 and ICB to enhance HCC immunotherapy. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B (2024).
2. Boosting disassembly of π–π stacked supramolecular nanodrugs under tumor microenvironment by introducing stimuli‐responsive drug‐mates. Aggregate (2024).
3. A paclitaxel-loaded recombinant polypeptide nanoparticle outperforms Abraxane in multiple murine cancer models. Nature Communications (2015).
4. Trojan Horse nanotheranostics with dual transformability and multifunctionality for highly effective cancer treatment. Nature Communications (2018).
5. Stimuli‐responsive crosslinked nanomedicine for cancer treatment. Exploration (2022).