Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement
Nanotheranostics—where nanoscale materials serve both diagnostic and therapeutic functions—are rapidly transforming gene therapy by tackling critical delivery challenges. This review explores the design and engineering of various nanoparticle systems (lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid) t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nanotheranostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-845X/6/2/10 |
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| author | Paula Guzmán-Sastoque Cristian F. Rodríguez María Camila Monsalve Stiven Castellanos Andrés Manrique-Moreno Luis H. Reyes Juan C. Cruz |
| author_facet | Paula Guzmán-Sastoque Cristian F. Rodríguez María Camila Monsalve Stiven Castellanos Andrés Manrique-Moreno Luis H. Reyes Juan C. Cruz |
| author_sort | Paula Guzmán-Sastoque |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nanotheranostics—where nanoscale materials serve both diagnostic and therapeutic functions—are rapidly transforming gene therapy by tackling critical delivery challenges. This review explores the design and engineering of various nanoparticle systems (lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid) to enhance stability, targeting, and endosomal escape of genetic payloads. We discuss how real-time imaging capabilities integrated into these platforms enable precise localization and controlled release of genes, improving treatment efficacy while reducing off-target effects. Key strategies to overcome delivery barriers (such as proton sponge effect and photothermal disruption) and to achieve nuclear localization are highlighted, along with recent advances in stimuli-responsive systems that facilitate spatiotemporal control of gene expression. Clinical trials and preclinical studies demonstrate the expanding role of nanotheranostics in managing cancer, inherited disorders, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. We further address regulatory and manufacturing hurdles that must be overcome for the widespread clinical adoption of nanoparticle-based gene therapies. By synthesizing recent progress and ongoing challenges, this review underscores the transformative potential of nanotheranostics for effective, targeted, and image-guided gene delivery. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d48252641d84a7ca479fd41b65bb1c3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2624-845X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Nanotheranostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-4d48252641d84a7ca479fd41b65bb1c32025-08-20T03:16:22ZengMDPI AGJournal of Nanotheranostics2624-845X2025-04-01621010.3390/jnt6020010Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery EnhancementPaula Guzmán-Sastoque0Cristian F. Rodríguez1María Camila Monsalve2Stiven Castellanos3Andrés Manrique-Moreno4Luis H. Reyes5Juan C. Cruz6Biomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaBiomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaBiomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaBiomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaBiomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaGrupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaBiomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, ColombiaNanotheranostics—where nanoscale materials serve both diagnostic and therapeutic functions—are rapidly transforming gene therapy by tackling critical delivery challenges. This review explores the design and engineering of various nanoparticle systems (lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid) to enhance stability, targeting, and endosomal escape of genetic payloads. We discuss how real-time imaging capabilities integrated into these platforms enable precise localization and controlled release of genes, improving treatment efficacy while reducing off-target effects. Key strategies to overcome delivery barriers (such as proton sponge effect and photothermal disruption) and to achieve nuclear localization are highlighted, along with recent advances in stimuli-responsive systems that facilitate spatiotemporal control of gene expression. Clinical trials and preclinical studies demonstrate the expanding role of nanotheranostics in managing cancer, inherited disorders, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. We further address regulatory and manufacturing hurdles that must be overcome for the widespread clinical adoption of nanoparticle-based gene therapies. By synthesizing recent progress and ongoing challenges, this review underscores the transformative potential of nanotheranostics for effective, targeted, and image-guided gene delivery.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-845X/6/2/10nanotheranosticsstimuli-responsive nanoparticlesendosomal escapetargeted gene deliveryCRISPR/Cas gene editing |
| spellingShingle | Paula Guzmán-Sastoque Cristian F. Rodríguez María Camila Monsalve Stiven Castellanos Andrés Manrique-Moreno Luis H. Reyes Juan C. Cruz Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement Journal of Nanotheranostics nanotheranostics stimuli-responsive nanoparticles endosomal escape targeted gene delivery CRISPR/Cas gene editing |
| title | Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement |
| title_full | Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement |
| title_fullStr | Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement |
| title_short | Nanotheranostics Revolutionizing Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications in Gene Delivery Enhancement |
| title_sort | nanotheranostics revolutionizing gene therapy emerging applications in gene delivery enhancement |
| topic | nanotheranostics stimuli-responsive nanoparticles endosomal escape targeted gene delivery CRISPR/Cas gene editing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-845X/6/2/10 |
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