Nanotechnology as a tool to overcome macromolecules delivery issues

Nanocarriers can deliver drugs to specific organs or cells, potentially bridging the gap between a drug's function and its interaction with biological systems such as human physiology. The untapped potential of nanotechnology stems from its ability to manipulate materials, allowing control over physical and chemical properties and overcoming drug-related problems, e.g., poor solubility or poor bioavailability. For example, most protein drugs are administered parenterally, each with challenges and peculiarities. Some problems faced by bioengineered macromolecule drugs leading to poor bioavailability are short biological half-life, large size and high molecular weight, low permeability through biological membranes, and structural instability. Nanotechnology emerges as a promising strategy to overcome these problems. Nevertheless, the delivery system should be carefully chosen considering loading efficiency, physicochemical properties, production conditions, toxicity, and regulations. Moving from the bench to the bedside is still one of the major bottlenecks in nanomedicine, and toxicological issues are the greatest challenges to overcome. This review provides an overview of biotech drug delivery ap-proaches, associated nanotechnology novelty, toxicological issues, and regulations.

Automated summary

Nanocarriers have the potential to overcome the challenges in drug delivery by targeting specific organs or cells and using nanotechnology to manipulate materials and control their properties. However, careful consideration is needed in choosing the delivery system, taking into account factors such as loading efficiency, physicochemical properties, production conditions, toxicity, and regulations. Moving from the laboratory to clinical applications and addressing toxicological issues are the major obstacles in the field of nanomedicine.