Theranostic innovation in infectious lung diseases: integrating biotechnology and nanotechnology for precision medicine.

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious lung diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, COVID-19, influenza, and emerging fungal infections, are major causes of illness and death worldwide. Traditional methods have serious limitations such as diagnostic delays, antimicrobial resistance, and non-targeted therapy. Theranostics, unifying diagnosis and therapy, offers a precision medicine solution for real-time, individualized pulmonary care.

Areas covered: This review explores biotechnological and nanotechnological synergies in pulmonary theranostics. Biotech tools include CRISPR-Cas for pathogen detection, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as biomarkers/modulators, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for targeted neutralization. Nanotech platforms feature nanosensors and SERS for early diagnosis, plus diverse nanocarriers enabling targeted drug/gene/vaccine delivery, controlled release, and imaging. Case studies across infectious lung diseases demonstrate real-world applications. We also address safety, manufacturing scalability, regulatory complexity, and economic barriers.

Expert opinion: This convergence marks a paradigm shift toward personalized pulmonary medicine. Future success demands smart, multi-stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms, AI-driven predictive modeling, and closed-loop systems linking real-time diagnostics to adaptive therapies. Translational priorities include standardized preclinical models, clear combination-product regulations, and cost-effectiveness data. Ultimately, interdisciplinary collaboration among material scientists, molecular biologists, clinicians, and regulatory experts is essential to bridge bench-to-bedside gaps and realize clinical impact.