Zeshan Ali Sandhu, Muhammad Asam Raza, Umme Farwa, Muhammad Saad Fareed, Abdulmajeed Alqurashi, Muhammad Latif
{"title":"Role of carbon dots as nanocarriers in drug delivery: current advancements, prospects, and implementations.","authors":"Zeshan Ali Sandhu, Muhammad Asam Raza, Umme Farwa, Muhammad Saad Fareed, Abdulmajeed Alqurashi, Muhammad Latif","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2513439","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2025.2513439","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Carbon dots (CDs) are recognized as outstanding nanocarriers for drug delivery owing to their superior biocompatibility, straightforward synthetic routes, and tunable surface properties.</p><p><strong>Area covered: </strong>This review presents a comprehensive overview of recent developments in CDs within the context of drug delivery systems (DDSs) and their utilization as carriers for drug loading, stabilization, and delivery. It also describes functionalized CDs for therapeutic applications, including cancer, antimicrobial, and gene therapies. Key strategic issues such as toxicity, biodistribution, and manufacturability are thoroughly elaborated and critically evaluated to identify novel approaches to address crucial challenges.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The promising potential of CDs to transform current drug delivery methods is driving researchers to undertake further biological investigations regarding the application of the CDs in clinical settings, as well as to explore future prospects of CDs within the biomedical field.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144188666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bence Sipos, Fatima Rajab, Gábor Katona, Ildikó Csóka
{"title":"Current insights into polymeric micelles for nasal drug delivery.","authors":"Bence Sipos, Fatima Rajab, Gábor Katona, Ildikó Csóka","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2511962","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2511962","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The nasal administration route has gained peak interest in recent literature and as a noninvasive alternative for efficient drug delivery and increasing bioavailability of active substances. Technological challenges arise from the drug's physicochemical properties and the nasal mucosal barrier for which innovative particle engineering techniques must be implemented, such as using polymeric nanocarriers.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review deals with the importance of the nasal administration route and its connection to polymeric micelles as innovative nanocarriers. The period between 2015-2025 up to date was chosen to search for original research articles where polymeric micelles were applied nasally. The first part demonstrates the utilization of polymeric micelles, followed by a summary of how drug release and permeability can be achieved in the nasal cavity and through the nasal epithelium. The second part reviews the studies conducted on this matter.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The nasal route could be superior to perform as a suitable alternative to conventional routes. Multiple studies have already demonstrated that the main advantages lie in the nose-to-brain drug delivery pathway, which can be conquered via adequately formulated polymeric micelles. As an innovative solution, vaccine delivery is also of great potential by combining the advantages of the delivery route and the polymeric nanocarriers.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sofía G Brignone, Silvia Tampucci, Belkys A Maletto, Daniel A Allemandi, Patrizia Chetoni, Santiago D Palma
{"title":"Self-assembled structures of ascorbic acid derivatives: encapsulation properties and controlled drug delivery applications.","authors":"Sofía G Brignone, Silvia Tampucci, Belkys A Maletto, Daniel A Allemandi, Patrizia Chetoni, Santiago D Palma","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2510301","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2510301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The chemical instability and low liposolubility of ascorbic acid have driven the development of hydrophobic derivatives that not only enhance its stability but also enable the formation of self-assembled systems for controlled drug delivery. These systems have garnered increasing interest due to their potential to improve drug administration by enhancing solubility, protecting against degradation, and enabling controlled or targeted release.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review critically explores the development and application of self-assembled systems derived from ascorbic acid compounds, including micelles, microemulsions, aspasomes, and other nanostructures. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases, covering publications from January 2000 to February 2025. The discussion focuses on the physicochemical characteristics, biological behavior, and relevance of these systems in the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Self-assembled drug delivery systems based on hydrophobic ascorbic acid derivatives represent a promising strategy in the field of pharmaceutical development. These platforms combine biocompatibility with functional versatility, offering enhanced membrane permeability, reduced systemic toxicity, and the potential for sustained or targeted drug release. Their suitability for oral, ophthalmic, and parenteral administration further highlights their applicability across a range of therapeutic areas, including immunological, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and oncological treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristian F Rodríguez, Paula Guzmán-Sastoque, Alan Santacruz-Belalcazar, Coryna Rodriguez, Paula Villamarin, Luis H Reyes, Juan C Cruz
{"title":"Magnetoliposomes for nanomedicine: synthesis, characterization, and applications in drug, gene, and peptide delivery.","authors":"Cristian F Rodríguez, Paula Guzmán-Sastoque, Alan Santacruz-Belalcazar, Coryna Rodriguez, Paula Villamarin, Luis H Reyes, Juan C Cruz","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2506829","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2506829","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Magnetoliposomes represent a transformative advancement in nanomedicine by integrating magnetic nanoparticles with liposomal structures, creating multifunctional delivery platforms that overcome key limitations of conventional drug carriers. These hybrid systems enable precision targeting through external magnetic fields, controlled release via magnetic hyperthermia, and real-time theranostic capabilities, offering unprecedented spatiotemporal control over therapeutic administration.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This manuscript focused primarily on studies from 2023-2025 however, a few select older references were included to provide background and context.This review examines the fundamental design principles of Magnetoliposomes, including bilayer composition, nanoparticle integration strategies, and physicochemical properties governing their biological performance. We comprehensively assess synthesis methodologies - from traditional thin-film hydration to advanced microfluidic approaches - highlighting their impact on colloidal stability, drug encapsulation, and scaling potential. Characterization techniques essential for quality control and regulatory approval are systematically reviewed, followed by applications across oncology, gene delivery, neurology, and infectious disease treatment, supported by recent experimental evidence.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>While magnetoliposomes show remarkable therapeutic versatility, their clinical translation requires addressing biocompatibility concerns, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory hurdles. Integration with artificial intelligence, organ-on-chip technologies, and personalized medicine approaches will likely accelerate their development toward clinical reality, potentially revolutionizing treatment paradigms for complex diseases through tailored therapeutic interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shanghui Gao, Jian-Rong Zhou, Kazumi Yokomizo, Jun Fang
{"title":"Nano-drug delivery system of natural products for disease prevention and treatment.","authors":"Shanghui Gao, Jian-Rong Zhou, Kazumi Yokomizo, Jun Fang","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2506830","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2506830","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Natural products, derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms, offer a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-infective, antifungal, anti-tumor, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, their clinical use is often limited by challenges such as low stability, poor bioavailability, and short half-lives. Thus, developing effective drug delivery systems for these compounds is crucial.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review highlights the integration of natural products with nano-drug delivery systems, focusing on recent advancements that utilize the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeting. By embedding natural compounds into polymeric nanoparticles or similar nanoplatforms, these formulations significantly enhance pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, overcoming traditional limitations.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Combining natural products with nanoparticle technology shows great potential to expand their therapeutic applications. Although these innovations improve the pharmacological profiles of natural compounds, continued research is essential to optimize clinical use. Advances in nanoparticle design and delivery strategies will be key to maximizing the therapeutic potential of natural products, addressing existing challenges, and enhancing their efficacy in disease treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Masheera Akhtar, Nida Nehal, Azka Gull, Rabea Parveen, Sana Khan, Saba Khan, Javed Ali
{"title":"Explicating the transformative role of artificial intelligence in designing targeted nanomedicine.","authors":"Masheera Akhtar, Nida Nehal, Azka Gull, Rabea Parveen, Sana Khan, Saba Khan, Javed Ali","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2502022","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2502022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in nanomedicine, revolutionizing drug delivery, diagnostics, and personalized treatment. While nanomedicine offers precise targeted drug delivery and reduced toxic effects, its clinical translation is hindered by biological complexity, unpredictable in vivo behavior, and inefficient trial-and-error approaches.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review covers the application of AI and Machine Learning (ML) across the nanomedicine development pipeline, starting from drug and target identification to nanoparticle design, toxicity prediction, and personalized dosing. Different AI/ML models like QSAR, MTK-QSBER, and Alchemite, along with data sources and high-throughput screening methods, have been explored. Real-world applications are critically discussed, including AI-assisted drug repurposing, controlled-release formulations, and cancer-specific delivery systems.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>AI has emerged as an essential component in designing next-generation nanomedicine. Efficiently handling multidimensional datasets, optimizing formulations, and personalizing treatment regimens, it has sped up the innovation process. However, challenges like data heterogeneity, model transparency, and regulatory gaps remain. Addressing these hurdles through interdisciplinary efforts and emerging innovations like explainable AI and federated learning will pave the way for the clinical translation of AI-driven nanomedicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143995215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Progress and potential of nanobubbles for ultrasound-mediated drug delivery.","authors":"Laura E Chen, Pinunta Nittayacharn, Agata A Exner","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2505044","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2505044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite much progress, nanomedicine-based drug therapies in oncology remain limited by systemic toxicity and insufficient particle accumulation in the tumor. To address these barriers, formulations responsive to external physical stimuli have emerged. One most promising system is the ultrasound stimulation of drug-loaded, gas-core particles (bubbles). Ultrasound induces bubble cavitation for cell and tissue permeabilization, triggers on-demand drug release, and provides opportunities for real-time imaging of delivery.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Here, we focus on shell-stabilized, gas-core nanoparticles (also termed nanobubbles or ultrafine bubbles) and their role in ultrasound-mediated therapeutic delivery to tumors. This review frames the advantages of nanobubbles within the ongoing deficits in nanomedicine, describes mechanisms of ultrasound-mediated therapy, and details formulation techniques for nanobubble delivery systems. It then highlights the past decade of research in nanobubble-facilitated drug delivery for cancer therapy and anticipates new directions in the field.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Nanobubble ultrasound contrast agents offer a spatiotemporally triggerable therapeutic coupled with a safe, accessible imaging modality. Nanobubbles can be loaded with diverse therapeutic cargoes to treat disease and overcome numerous barriers limiting delivery to solid tumors. Close attention to formulation, characterization methods, acoustic testing parameters, and the biological mechanisms of nanobubble delivery will facilitate preclinical research toward clinical adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Application of bacteria-mediated gene therapy in tumor treatment.","authors":"Renjie Feng, Meng Du, Zhiyi Chen","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2502638","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2025.2502638","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Gene therapy refers to the use of vectors to introduce target genes into target cells to exert a therapeutic effect on tumors. As a new type of tumor therapy, gene therapy has the advantage of precision and specificity. Excellent delivery vehicles have a major impact on the efficiency, precision and safety of gene therapy. Unlike traditional vectors, bacteria based on prokaryotes have the advantages of good targeting, large load, and simplicity. In addition, different types of bacteria also have characteristics that can be used in various scenarios.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>In this review, we searched the gene therapy-related literature in PubMed, mainly in the last five years, and compared the characteristics of different gene vectors, focusing on the bacterial gene therapy and aiming to explore excellent bacterial gene therapy programs.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Compared with traditional tumor gene therapy vectors, bacteria have many advantages, such as good targeting, large carrying capacity, and simple production. Meanwhile, the combination of artificial intelligence technology, bacterial imaging probe technology and suicide genes will be expected to control the bacterial therapy process, improve the safety of treatment, and promote the translational application of bacterial gene therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144058984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2501414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2025.2501414","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144038909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Santosh Bhujbal, Ilva D Rupenthal, Vandana B Patravale, Priyanka Agarwal
{"title":"Transfersomes: a next-generation drug delivery system for topical ocular drug delivery.","authors":"Santosh Bhujbal, Ilva D Rupenthal, Vandana B Patravale, Priyanka Agarwal","doi":"10.1080/17425247.2025.2497829","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2025.2497829","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The eye is a complex organ with several anatomical and physiological barriers that make ocular drug delivery an ongoing challenge. Transfersomes (TFS) are deformable vesicles that have been extensively applied to enhance transdermal drug delivery. However, their application in ocular drug delivery remains largely unexplored.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review highlights the challenges typically associated with ocular drug delivery and emphasizes the inherent properties of TFS that enable them to overcome these challenges. The influence of excipients and critical process parameters on TFS characteristics have been discussed in detail with an emphasis on the fabrication and characterization techniques typically employed for TFS development and optimization. Furthermore, recent studies evaluating the application of TFS in ocular drug delivery have been discussed in depth.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The unique stress-responsive and deformable nature of TFS makes them promising carriers for ocular drug delivery. However, further research in this direction is needed to understand their penetration mechanism and elucidate their potential for sustained and targeted drug delivery to ocular tissues. Moreover, further research is needed to optimize the stability and scalability of TFS to encourage their translation to the market.</p>","PeriodicalId":94004,"journal":{"name":"Expert opinion on drug delivery","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}