Zhongliang Fu , Meichen Pan , Chunrong Yang , Hongwei Hou , Jinghong Li
{"title":"Rational modification of PROTACs for tumor-selective protein degradation","authors":"Zhongliang Fu , Meichen Pan , Chunrong Yang , Hongwei Hou , Jinghong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115775","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115775","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional molecules that hijack the ubiquitin-proteasome system to catalytically degrade pathogenic proteins. With the ability to target “undruggable” proteins and exert sustained pharmacological effects, PROTACs hold considerable promise for cancer therapy. However, achieving tumor-selective protein degradation remains a central challenge. This review outlines the application of PROTACs in cancer treatment and systematically summarizes emerging strategies to enhance tumor specificity. These approaches leverage hallmark features of tumors, distinctive surface biomarkers and a unique tumor microenvironment (TME), and are broadly categorized into two classes: active targeting, which employs tumor-selective ligands to enrich PROTACs in malignant cells; and conditionally activated strategies, where TME cues either selectively trigger PROTAC prodrugs or induce structural transformations in nanocarriers to enhance drug accumulation at the tumor site. By elucidating these mechanisms, we aim to bridge medicinal chemistry and intelligent nanomedicine, underpinning the tumor-selective protein degradation strategies and offering perspectives on future research directions to improve the biodistribution, safety, and therapeutic efficacy of next-generation PROTACs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115775"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145949886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biologics-device combinations: Enabling prolonged therapies in the posterior segment ocular disease","authors":"Shuqian Zhu , Jianjun Zhang , Xuling Jiang , Cheng Peng , Huiqin Liu , Feng Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115773","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Posterior segment ocular diseases (e.g., age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, etc.) often necessitate frequent intravitreal (IVT) injections of biologics, due to the rapid drug clearance and formidable ocular barriers. While molecular engineering strategies and high-concentration protein formulations could extend the administration intervals to a certain extent, they are confronted with critical challenges, protein aggregation, high viscosity, and limited duration. This has spurred the development of innovative biologics-device combination products, which represent a paradigm shift towards prolonged therapy. This comprehensive review examines the latest advancements of these combination platforms, including refillable implants (e.g., SUSVIMO®), encapsulated cell technology (e.g., ENCELTO™), and recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors (e.g., LUXTURNA®). The progress in biologics - device combination technologies has significantly reduced the frequency of ocular injections. However, substantial hurdles, such as instability caused by material-biologics interactions, potential risks during the sterilization and manufacturing processes, safety risks, and the evolving regulatory landscape, still need to be addressed. Achieving a balance between the stability of biologics and advanced device design, enhancing long-term safety, and developing responsive smart systems with real-time monitoring and feedback capabilities remain crucial for the advancement of next-generation ophthalmic therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115773"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hye Jin Lee , Yunxuan Xie , Colin F. Greineder , Peter M. Tessier
{"title":"Bioconjugates for improved delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics to the central nervous system","authors":"Hye Jin Lee , Yunxuan Xie , Colin F. Greineder , Peter M. Tessier","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115778","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115778","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oligonucleotide therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), have gained increasing attention as a novel modality for gene-targeted interventions for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, particularly in the context of rare and inherited neurological conditions. By correcting pathogenic abnormalities in gene splicing or expression, oligonucleotide therapeutics offer a combination of extreme specificity and disease-modifying or even curative effects. However, achieving robust delivery to the CNS after systemic administration remains a significant challenge due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier and the intrinsic physicochemical limitations of oligonucleotide therapeutics, such as their large molecular size, high charge, and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. Peptide-, antibody-, and lipid-based conjugates have emerged as versatile strategies for CNS oligonucleotide delivery, offering distinct advantages in molecular recognition, tunability, biocompatibility, and structural uniformity. Here, we review emerging design principles for engineering peptide, antibody, and lipid conjugates to enhance binding affinity, target selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of oligonucleotide therapeutics for CNS applications. We also discuss how engineered delivery platforms have the potential to improve therapeutic efficacy across a spectrum of neurological disorders, from rare hereditary syndromes to highly prevalent neurodegenerative diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115778"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145993315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing targeted protein degradation to potentiate cancer immunotherapy: from molecular mechanisms to delivery strategies","authors":"Ye Liu , Ihsan Ullah , Youyong Yuan , Jun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115776","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115776","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer immunotherapy is limited by immune escape, which is driven by overexpression of immunosuppressive proteins in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) technology, utilizing cellular machinery to eliminate specific proteins, offers a powerful strategy to overcome this resistance. However, the clinical translation of TPD degraders is critically hindered by formidable delivery challenges. Their inherent physicochemical properties result in poor oral bioavailability, difficulty crossing biological barriers, rapid metabolism, and insufficient tumor accumulation, preventing effective target engagement. This review focuses on the potential of TPD technology in combination with advanced drug delivery systems (DDS) to enhance cancer immunotherapy. We elaborate on how TPD reshapes the TME by degrading key immunomodulatory targets. Critically, this review provides an in-depth analysis of the major delivery bottlenecks currently limiting the efficacy of TPD degraders. Furthermore, it introduces advanced delivery strategies designed to overcome these obstacles, including nanocarriers, hydrogels, microneedles, and various stimuli-responsive delivery systems. Successfully overcoming these delivery obstacles is vital to unlocking the full therapeutic efficacy of TPD. Such progress holds promises for reprogramming immunosuppressive TME, overcoming resistance to existing immunotherapies, broadening the population of patients responsive to treatment, and ultimately delivering durable clinical benefits to more cancer patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115776"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145949869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Medicinal gases for treating central nervous system injuries","authors":"Rebecca I. Sienel , Nikolaus Plesnila","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Central nervous system (CNS) injuries—such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and perinatal hypoxia—trigger complex secondary cascades involving oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis that limit recovery and therapeutic efficacy. Recent advances in medical gas delivery offer a novel, multifaceted approach to modulate these pathological processes. Gases including hydrogen, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, xenon, and argon demonstrate potent neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and vasomodulatory properties in preclinical models. This review synthesizes current evidence on gas-based interventions across CNS pathologies, elucidates their molecular mechanisms, and evaluates translational challenges related to timing, dosing, and delivery technologies. Gas therapeutics represent a promising frontier in neurocritical care with potential to transform outcomes in otherwise intractable neurological injuries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115782"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146032813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial: Novel ultrasound-based strategies for precision therapeutics and visualization","authors":"Xinwu Cui , Xiaoyuan Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115763","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115763"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145779775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Covalent chemistry in targeted protein degradation","authors":"Jing Tan , Yuxin Liang , Shiqun Shao , Youqing Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has revolutionized drug discovery by enabling the selective removal of specific proteins within and outside cells through the cell’s natural degradation pathways. While various TPD modalities have demonstrated immense promise, the integration of covalent chemistry is rapidly emerging as a crucial approach to enhance target engagement, improve selectivity, and overcome limitations associated with non-covalent interactions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of covalent TPD and systematically explores how covalent chemistry advances the field of TPD. We first detail the diverse covalent modification strategies, reactive amino acid residues, and electrophilic warheads employed in the design of covalent ligands. Next, we discuss methodologies for covalent ligand discovery, including ligand-first and electrophile-first approaches. Finally, we highlight specific examples of covalent degraders across different TPD modalities, emphasizing their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. By integrating current knowledge and future directions, this review aims to provide insights for the rational design of next-generation covalent degraders and underscore their implications for the future of drug discovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115777"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optical imaging and spectroscopic characterization of subvisible particles in protein therapeutics","authors":"Brian S. Wong , Jing Ling , Yongchao Su , Dan Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of subvisible particles in protein-based pharmaceutics is a critical quality attribute that is highly regulated due to potential risks to product stability, quality, bioavailability, and patient safety. While numerous analytical technologies have been developed to measure and analyze these particles, optical characterization methods are widely used for their simplicity, robustness, and versatility. Selecting the appropriate technique from a vast array of optical spectroscopy and imaging methods can be overwhelming, but it is crucial for successful characterization. For example, compendial methods such as light obscuration are most commonly used but can underestimate particle counts and are unable to provide chemical identification. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of optical particle characterization techniques, detailing their physical principles, applications, strengths, and weaknesses. We evaluate methods based on elastic light scattering, flow-based imaging, particle tracking, and vibrational spectroscopy. We highlight the inherent trade-off between analytical throughput and information content, aiming to guide the rational selection of analytical tools for the comprehensive characterization of subvisible particles in protein therapeutics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115779"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145987776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sanjay Konagurthu , Dineli T.S. Ranathunga , Stephanie Buchanan , Nairuti Milan Mehta , Tom Reynolds
{"title":"The predictive edge: modeling and simulation in drug product development","authors":"Sanjay Konagurthu , Dineli T.S. Ranathunga , Stephanie Buchanan , Nairuti Milan Mehta , Tom Reynolds","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115784","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2026.115784","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>It is well-known that drug development is challenging and a time- and resource-intensive endeavor. Historically, it has relied heavily on trial-and-error, empirical approaches that yield a low probability of success. Despite continuous efforts to improve efficiency across the development stages the overall success rate from clinical trial initiation to market approval remains low. In response to these challenges, in-silico predictive modeling and simulations are becoming indispensable tools for accelerating and de-risking the drug product development process. These computational methods use simulated and real-world data to guide decision-making across the entire development pipeline. Notably, these tools are now gaining widespread acceptance not only in discovery but also across the delivery and formulation stages of drug development. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are proving transformative, enabling rapid analysis of large datasets and the development of predictive models that enhance classification, prediction, and optimization capabilities across the drug product development process. This review provides an overview of the various in-silico predictive modeling and simulation techniques for drug product development, emphasizing the use of AI/ML, and their applications in drug delivery. We highlight their role in improving drug performance, manufacturability, stability, safety, and overall success from clinical development through commercialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115784"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146047854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Genetic engineering approaches in stem and somatic cells for the generation of insulin-producing β-cells","authors":"Abiramy Jeyagaran , Katja Schenke-Layland","doi":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.addr.2025.115766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cell replacement therapies hold great promise for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus; however, the obtaining of sufficient transplantable β-cells limits the availability of this treatment option. The generation of β-cells from human pluripotent stem cells or other somatic cells through classical differentiation, forward programming, or transdifferentiation approaches offers an alternative source of therapeutic β-cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Through increasing understanding of pancreatic and β-cell development, transcription factors neurogenin 3 (NGN3), pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (PDX1), and MAF BZIP Transcription Factor A (MAFA) have been identified to be crucial for glucose-responsive insulin secretion of adult β-cells. In this review, we address and discuss recent advances in transdifferentiation approaches using these three markers for the timely generation of mature β-cells, and the insights they provide on cell development and plasticity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7254,"journal":{"name":"Advanced drug delivery reviews","volume":"230 ","pages":"Article 115766"},"PeriodicalIF":17.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}