Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems and Targeted Therapeutics
Summary
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems encompass a range of nanoscale carriers—such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers and inorganic particles—designed to transport therapeutic agents with high precision. By exploiting size, surface chemistry and functional coatings, these platforms improve solubility, protect payloads from degradation and enable controlled release. Passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention effect directs nanoparticles to leaky vasculature in tumours or inflamed tissues, while active targeting employs surface ligands to bind specific cellular receptors. Stimuli-responsive materials further refine release profiles in response to pH, temperature or redox cues. Collectively, these advances promise improved pharmacokinetics, reduced off-target toxicity and enhanced clinical efficacy. Challenges remain in overcoming biological barriers such as protein corona formation, achieving scalable manufacturing and navigating regulatory pathways. Established formulations—such as PEGylated liposomes and iron oxide nanoparticles—have demonstrated clinical benefit, and emerging designs continue to push the boundaries of precision medicine and personalised therapeutics.
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Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems and Targeted Therapeutics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and targeted therapeutics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Nanoparticle: A particle with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometres used to encapsulate or conjugate drugs for improved delivery.
Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect: The tendency of nanoparticles to accumulate in tumour or inflamed tissues due to leaky vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage.
Zero-order release kinetics: A drug release profile in which a constant amount of drug is released per unit time, independent of concentration.
Stimuli-responsive polymer: A polymer that alters its properties in response to environmental triggers such as pH, temperature or enzymes to enable controlled drug release.
References
- Bioorthogonal Engineered Virus-Like Nanoparticles for Efficient Gene Therapy. Nano-Micro Letters (2023).
- Controlled Interfacial Polymer Self‐Assembly Coordinates Ultrahigh Drug Loading and Zero‐Order Release in Particles Prepared under Continuous Flow. Advanced Materials (2023).
- Nanoparticles in the clinic. Bioengineering & Translational Medicine (2016).
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