Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis

This review article comprehensively examines the role of nanotechnology in advancing medical science, with a focus on its applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering. We explore the classification of nanomaterials based on dimensionality, composition, and dispersion, and discu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fatma Kurul, Hasret Turkmen, Arif E. Cetin, Seda Nur Topkaya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Next Nanotechnology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949829524000901
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849685679632547840
author Fatma Kurul
Hasret Turkmen
Arif E. Cetin
Seda Nur Topkaya
author_facet Fatma Kurul
Hasret Turkmen
Arif E. Cetin
Seda Nur Topkaya
author_sort Fatma Kurul
collection DOAJ
description This review article comprehensively examines the role of nanotechnology in advancing medical science, with a focus on its applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering. We explore the classification of nanomaterials based on dimensionality, composition, and dispersion, and discuss their critical role in revolutionizing medicine. Nanomaterials such as liposomes, protein-based nanoparticles, and dendrimers are highlighted for their ability to enhance drug delivery systems, improving targeting, bioavailability, and reducing side effects. We investigate theranostics, where nanoparticles integrate diagnostic imaging and treatment capabilities in a single platform, enabling more effective cancer therapies through targeted drug delivery. The article also covers advancements in tissue engineering, where nanomaterial-based scaffolds are used to regenerate damaged tissues and organs. We present novel developments in creating bioinspired scaffolds using chitosan, cellulose, and graphene oxide, which improve cell adhesion and enhance mechanical properties for tissue regeneration. The review also discusses the nanoparticles’ potential in bioimaging tools such as MRI, PET, and fluorescent imaging. We highlight cutting-edge developments in nanoparticle-based contrast agents that improve imaging accuracy and enable real-time monitoring of therapeutic interventions. Our review stands out by integrating recent advancements in the multifunctional use of nanomaterials for personalized medicine. We address the challenges of toxicity, regulatory concerns, and the future potential of nanotechnology in clinical translation, positioning this work as a significant contribution to the field of nanomedicine. Nanomedicine is an emerging field that harnesses the unique properties of nanomaterials to revolutionize healthcare, offering significant advances in diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, therapeutic interventions, and tissue engineering. This review comprehensively examines the various categories of nanomaterials, including metal-based (e.g., gold and silver), carbon-based (e.g., graphene and carbon nanotubes), organic (e.g., dendrimers and liposomes), and hybrid materials, highlighting their potential applications in drug delivery, bioimaging, and theranostics. Nanomaterials are utilized for their ability to improve drug bioavailability, target specific tissues, and enable precise control over drug release, making them highly effective in treating diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. The review explores the mechanisms and clinical applications of key imaging technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), fluorescence, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), where nanomaterials significantly enhance sensitivity, resolution, and tissue penetration. Additionally, the role of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in fluorescence imaging and the promise of nanoparticle-based theranostic platforms—integrating both diagnostic and therapeutic functions—are discussed in depth. These multifunctional nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by offering precise disease monitoring and treatment simultaneously. Further, the review delves into the clinical progress and regulatory aspects of nanomedicine, noting recent advancements in clinical trials and approved therapies, including mRNA-based vaccines and targeted nanomedicine therapies for cancer. The development of nanoparticle-based scaffolds for tissue regeneration and their integration into clinical practice are also highlighted, alongside challenges in biocompatibility, toxicity, and scalability. The discussion includes insights into patents, ongoing clinical studies, and the road ahead for overcoming current limitations in nanomedicine. This review provides a holistic view of the state of nanomedicine, offering a comprehensive understanding of its current and future impact on healthcare, therapeutic efficacy, and clinical translation.
format Article
id doaj-art-fa08143ec3f44f9b93fc66e3eddcf242
institution DOAJ
issn 2949-8295
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Next Nanotechnology
spelling doaj-art-fa08143ec3f44f9b93fc66e3eddcf2422025-08-20T03:23:02ZengElsevierNext Nanotechnology2949-82952025-01-01710012910.1016/j.nxnano.2024.100129Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosisFatma Kurul0Hasret Turkmen1Arif E. Cetin2Seda Nur Topkaya3Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Balcova, Izmir 35340, TurkeyDepartment of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Cigli, Izmir 35620, TurkeyIzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Balcova, Izmir 35340, TurkeyDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Cigli, Izmir 35620, Turkey; Correspondence to: Izmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Izmir, Turkey.This review article comprehensively examines the role of nanotechnology in advancing medical science, with a focus on its applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering. We explore the classification of nanomaterials based on dimensionality, composition, and dispersion, and discuss their critical role in revolutionizing medicine. Nanomaterials such as liposomes, protein-based nanoparticles, and dendrimers are highlighted for their ability to enhance drug delivery systems, improving targeting, bioavailability, and reducing side effects. We investigate theranostics, where nanoparticles integrate diagnostic imaging and treatment capabilities in a single platform, enabling more effective cancer therapies through targeted drug delivery. The article also covers advancements in tissue engineering, where nanomaterial-based scaffolds are used to regenerate damaged tissues and organs. We present novel developments in creating bioinspired scaffolds using chitosan, cellulose, and graphene oxide, which improve cell adhesion and enhance mechanical properties for tissue regeneration. The review also discusses the nanoparticles’ potential in bioimaging tools such as MRI, PET, and fluorescent imaging. We highlight cutting-edge developments in nanoparticle-based contrast agents that improve imaging accuracy and enable real-time monitoring of therapeutic interventions. Our review stands out by integrating recent advancements in the multifunctional use of nanomaterials for personalized medicine. We address the challenges of toxicity, regulatory concerns, and the future potential of nanotechnology in clinical translation, positioning this work as a significant contribution to the field of nanomedicine. Nanomedicine is an emerging field that harnesses the unique properties of nanomaterials to revolutionize healthcare, offering significant advances in diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, therapeutic interventions, and tissue engineering. This review comprehensively examines the various categories of nanomaterials, including metal-based (e.g., gold and silver), carbon-based (e.g., graphene and carbon nanotubes), organic (e.g., dendrimers and liposomes), and hybrid materials, highlighting their potential applications in drug delivery, bioimaging, and theranostics. Nanomaterials are utilized for their ability to improve drug bioavailability, target specific tissues, and enable precise control over drug release, making them highly effective in treating diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. The review explores the mechanisms and clinical applications of key imaging technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), fluorescence, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), where nanomaterials significantly enhance sensitivity, resolution, and tissue penetration. Additionally, the role of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in fluorescence imaging and the promise of nanoparticle-based theranostic platforms—integrating both diagnostic and therapeutic functions—are discussed in depth. These multifunctional nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by offering precise disease monitoring and treatment simultaneously. Further, the review delves into the clinical progress and regulatory aspects of nanomedicine, noting recent advancements in clinical trials and approved therapies, including mRNA-based vaccines and targeted nanomedicine therapies for cancer. The development of nanoparticle-based scaffolds for tissue regeneration and their integration into clinical practice are also highlighted, alongside challenges in biocompatibility, toxicity, and scalability. The discussion includes insights into patents, ongoing clinical studies, and the road ahead for overcoming current limitations in nanomedicine. This review provides a holistic view of the state of nanomedicine, offering a comprehensive understanding of its current and future impact on healthcare, therapeutic efficacy, and clinical translation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949829524000901NanomedicineTargeted drug deliveryTheranosticsBioimagingPrecision medicineNanoscale materials
spellingShingle Fatma Kurul
Hasret Turkmen
Arif E. Cetin
Seda Nur Topkaya
Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis
Next Nanotechnology
Nanomedicine
Targeted drug delivery
Theranostics
Bioimaging
Precision medicine
Nanoscale materials
title Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis
title_full Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis
title_fullStr Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis
title_full_unstemmed Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis
title_short Nanomedicine: How nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery, bio-imaging, and diagnosis
title_sort nanomedicine how nanomaterials are transforming drug delivery bio imaging and diagnosis
topic Nanomedicine
Targeted drug delivery
Theranostics
Bioimaging
Precision medicine
Nanoscale materials
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949829524000901
work_keys_str_mv AT fatmakurul nanomedicinehownanomaterialsaretransformingdrugdeliverybioimaginganddiagnosis
AT hasretturkmen nanomedicinehownanomaterialsaretransformingdrugdeliverybioimaginganddiagnosis
AT arifecetin nanomedicinehownanomaterialsaretransformingdrugdeliverybioimaginganddiagnosis
AT sedanurtopkaya nanomedicinehownanomaterialsaretransformingdrugdeliverybioimaginganddiagnosis