Muhammad Inam, Kong Qun, Hailing Ding, Muhammad Ijaz, Hamid Khan, Mati Ullah, Noshin Afshan, Muhammad Hayat
{"title":"Carbon Dots in Biopharmaceuticals: Advances in Theranostics, Drug Delivery, Antimicrobial Therapy, and Tissue Regeneration","authors":"Muhammad Inam, Kong Qun, Hailing Ding, Muhammad Ijaz, Hamid Khan, Mati Ullah, Noshin Afshan, Muhammad Hayat","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70173","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Carbon dots (CDs) are fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (NPs) that have developed as a transformative nanoplatform in biopharmaceuticals. Distinguished from conventional quantum dots, CDs offer a unique combination of properties such as tunable photoluminescence, aqueous stability, facile surface chemistry, and demonstrated biocompatibility. These features make them ideal nanotheranostic agents for integrating diagnostics and therapy. This review summarizes their progression from tailored synthesis to preclinical applications. We examine their roles as probes and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for biosensing, bioimaging, drug delivery, and integrated theranostics platforms. We critically evaluate their pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and safety, while addressing translational challenges in standardization and scalable manufacturing. Future perspectives on atomic-level development are outlined, charting a course toward clinical translation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148943087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nanoparticle-Based Radiosensitizers in Cancer Therapy: Current Advances and Clinical Prospects","authors":"Rajesh Sandu, Tejasree Doddi, Jagapathi Rao Maddila, Aravind Kumar Rengan","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70171","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Radiotherapy is the primary form of treatment for several types of cancer. However, several factors severely limit radiation therapeutic effectiveness, including resistance to high radiation levels due to low levels of reactive oxygen species and low radiation absorption by tumor tissue, abnormal cancer cell growth, and apoptosis. Nanoparticles have been widely exploited as radiosensitizers due to their distinct physicochemical features and multifunctionality, which have the potential to improve radiation therapy efficacy. In this article, we carried out a systematic assessment of numerous nanoparticle-based radiosensitization techniques for radiation therapy. This includes approaches designed to increase ROS levels during tumor hypoxia and control of redox homeostasis through glutathione depletion, alteration of tumor microenvironment pH, and use of NIR-responsive techniques. The chemical drug-loaded nanoparticles have been studied for their potential to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy, such as chemoradiotherapy, immunoradiotherapy, and radiotherapy combined with sonodynamic and photothermal therapies. Increasing the formation of ROS, reducing hypoxia, enhancing the anti-tumor immune microenvironment, and G<sub>2</sub>/M cell cycle arrest are the usual methods used to sensitize patients to radiation. Furthermore, the status of radiation is significantly improved using nanoparticle-based anti-tumor techniques. Multiple clinical trials on radiosensitizers are currently ongoing, some of which have been approved for treatment.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fashun Li, Thi Hoa Mai Trani, Rui Cong, Jiasheng Tu, Lei Jiang
{"title":"Ionic Liquid-Based Microemulsions: A Versatile Platform for Transdermal Delivery","authors":"Fashun Li, Thi Hoa Mai Trani, Rui Cong, Jiasheng Tu, Lei Jiang","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70169","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ionic liquid-based microemulsions (IL-MEs) have emerged as versatile nanocarriers for pharmaceutical applications, particularly transdermal drug delivery. Conventional transdermal formulations are limited by the formidable barrier function of the stratum corneum, which restricts drug permeation and hinders the effective delivery of poorly soluble drugs and labile biomolecules. Although conventional microemulsions provide thermodynamic stability and enhanced drug solubilization, their broader application may be restricted by limited single-phase regions and insufficient solubilization capacity for highly polar compounds and biomacromolecules. By integrating the tunable physicochemical properties of ionic liquids with the thermodynamic stability and organized nanostructures of microemulsions, IL-MEs provide a highly adaptable platform for transdermal drug delivery. These systems can improve the solubility and physicochemical stability of small-molecule drugs, proteins, and other bioactive agents while concurrently enhancing their permeation across the skin. Functioning simultaneously as solubilizing media and permeation enhancers, IL-MEs promote drug dissolution, perturb the organization of stratum corneum lipids, and facilitate transcutaneous transport. This review summarizes recent advances in the formulation, physicochemical characterization, skin-permeation mechanisms, and therapeutic applications of IL-MEs, with particular emphasis on the synergistic roles of ionic liquids and microemulsion nanostructures in advancing next-generation transdermal drug delivery.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nnamdi Ikemefuna Okafor, Bukosi Baloyi, Yahya E. Choonara
{"title":"Nanomedicine for the Treatment of Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes: Progress, Challenges, and Translational Perspectives","authors":"Nnamdi Ikemefuna Okafor, Bukosi Baloyi, Yahya E. Choonara","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70170","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Pediatric type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rapidly emerging as a critical global health concern, driven largely by rising childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Compared to adult-onset disease, pediatric-onset T2DM progresses more aggressively and is associated with early microvascular and cardiometabolic complications, placing substantial lifelong health burdens on affected children. Current pharmacotherapies including are limited by gastrointestinal intolerance, injection-related distress, frequent dosing, and poor adherence among adolescents. These highlight an urgent need for therapeutic strategies that are both physiologically suited to the developing child and acceptable for long-term use. Nanotechnology-enabled delivery systems offer a promising solution by improving drug solubility, mucosal absorption, and metabolic stability while enabling controlled release and targeted tissue delivery, however, nearly all experimental evidence comes from adult animal models. Therefore, this review examines recent advances in nanocarriers for pediatric T2DM while explicitly acknowledging the critical evidence gap and lack of clinically tested nanomedicine-based therapies in children. We evaluate polymeric, lipid, inorganic, and hybrid systems, and highlight translational challenges including the absence of pediatric trials, need for juvenile models, and safety considerations. By distinguishing preclinical proof-of-concept from the limited pediatric-specific data, the review provides a roadmap for translating nanomedicine from bench to bedside for children with T2DM.</p>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/adtp.70170","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abhishek Sharma, Aman Kumar, Preeti Patel, Balak Das Kurmi
{"title":"Advancing Preclinical Oncology: Next-Generation Mouse Models for Decoding Tumor Progression and Metastasis","authors":"Abhishek Sharma, Aman Kumar, Preeti Patel, Balak Das Kurmi","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70167","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Next-generation mouse models have transformed preclinical oncology by enabling detailed study of tumor initiation, progression, immune interactions, and metastasis. Traditional systems lacked tumor heterogeneity and immune relevance. Advanced platforms such as genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), humanized mice, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and organoid-based models provide genetic accuracy, patient-specific biology, and functional immune environments. Recent developments, such as intravital imaging, lineage tracing, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence (AI), have further improved the understanding of tumor dynamics and therapeutic response. Notwithstanding these major improvements, there are no currently available mouse models that can effectively recapitulate the complexity, latency, organ-specific spread, and tumor–microenvironment interactions that are seen in human metastasis. This means that there is a need for further optimization and enhancement of the preclinical models to make them more translatable and relevant. Together, these new-generation models offer a unique opportunity for the transition from experimental research to clinical oncology and for precision medicine and metastasis-oriented cancer research.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148862452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Venom-Derived Bioactive Peptides: From Toxins to Therapeutics","authors":"Eldho Sabu, Othman Al Musaimi","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70166","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Venoms are complex biochemical mixtures composed of diverse bioactive components, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and peptides. Among these, venom-derived peptides have been evolutionarily optimized to interact with biological targets with exceptional potency and selectivity. Although historically regarded solely as toxic substances, these peptides have increasingly been recognized as valuable templates for therapeutic development. This review examines the structural and biochemical properties of venom-derived peptides, as well as their molecular targets, with particular emphasis on their applications in pain management and cardiovascular disorders. Key milestones in venom-based drug discovery are highlighted, from the approval of captopril in 1981 to more recent peptide candidates such as Hi1a and leptucin. Despite notable successes, the clinical translation of venom peptides remains constrained by challenges related to their physicochemical properties, including stability, bioavailability, and delivery. Emerging strategies aimed at overcoming these limitations are also discussed, underscoring advances in peptide engineering and drug delivery technologies. Overall, this review highlights the significant therapeutic potential of venom-derived peptides and their expanding role in the development of novel treatments for a wide range of pathological conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/adtp.70166","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148753487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Challenging the Status Quo: Standardisation, Regulation and the Rise of 3D In Vitro Models for a More Humane and Predictive Future in Healthcare","authors":"Priscila Melo","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70164","url":null,"abstract":"<p>For decades, biomedical research has relied on two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and animal models to study human biology and develop new therapeutics. While these systems have been instrumental in advancing science, their limitations in capturing the complexity and variability of human physiology are increasingly evident. As therapeutic strategies become more sophisticated and personalised, the need for more predictive and human-relevant models is becoming critical. In this Perspective, it is argued that three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models such as organoids, bioprinted tissues, and microphysiological systems offer a necessary shift in how we approach disease modelling and drug development. These systems more accurately replicate tissue architecture, cellular interactions, and dynamic environments, yielding more meaningful insights into human biology. At the same time, they support a transition toward more ethical research practices by reducing reliance on animal testing. Discussing the scientific advances enabling these models, the growing regulatory and policy support for their adoption, and the key challenges that remain, is paramount. Addressing these barriers will require coordinated efforts across disciplines and sectors. The delayed adoption of these systems is also shaped by cultural inertia within the scientific and industrial ecosystems, where established methodologies still dominate due to familiarity, infrastructure and insufficient training.</p>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/adtp.70164","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular Docking-Guided Engineering of TPGS/Tween 80 Mixed Micelles for the Intranasal Delivery of Paliperidone Palmitate","authors":"Poorva Maske, Rati Kailash Prasad Tripathi, Singdha Das Mandal, Pranav Shah, Nimeet Desai, Manisha Lalan","doi":"10.1002/adtp.70162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.70162","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Poor aqueous solubility severely limits the brain delivery of paliperidone palmitate (PP), necessitating formulation strategies. Here, a docking-guided approach is employed to engineer intranasal mixed micelles for improved intranasal delivery and potential brain targeting. Molecular docking identifies D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) as the primary interacting excipient (ΔG = −4.0 kcal mol<sup>−1</sup>), while Tween 80 provides complementary interactions enabling cooperative micellization. The optimized PP-loaded mixed micelles (PP-MM), developed via a 3<sup>2</sup> factorial design, exhibit nanoscale size (14.97 ± 0.82 nm), narrow dispersity (PDI 0.270 ± 0.021), and efficient drug loading (4.1 ± 0.27%). The formulation demonstrates markedly enhanced in vitro release (89.3 ± 8.2% vs. 33.8 ± 2.8% at 360 min) and substantially improved ex vivo nasal permeation (66.30 ± 5.32% vs. 21.40 ± 2.21%), achieving a 2.64-fold increase in steady-state flux (compared to drug suspension). In vivo pharmacodynamic evaluation shows superior suppression of ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion (279.16 ± 18 vs. 448.33 ± 21.60 counts) without detectable neurotoxicity, supported by preserved neuronal architecture. Collectively, these findings establish docking-guided mixed micelle engineering as a robust and translational strategy to enhance solubilization, mucosal transport, and therapeutic efficacy, supporting further investigation of this scalable, non-invasive platform for intranasal delivery of poorly soluble antipsychotic agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":7284,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Therapeutics","volume":"9 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/adtp.70162","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148616620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}