Advanced nanoformulations against bacterial infection

Nowadays, antibiotics remain the cornerstone in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, in recent decades, bacteria have developed defense mechanisms that make them highly resistant to the existing antibiotics, leaving us vulnerable to infection. The World Health Organization warns that bacterial resistance constitutes a serious threat to humanity at global level and that there is an urgent need of developing new antibacterial agents. Nanotechnology has entered into this scenario by providing novel tools for the treatment of numerous pathologies, highlighting cancer. Nanomedicine brings up the opportunity to address different diseases using drug nanocarriers that can be specifically directed to the therapeutic target, increasing the efficacy of the treatment and reducing the side effects. This entrance speech focuses on mesoporous silica nanoparticles, whose unique properties and enormous versatility allow the design of multiple nanosystems to treat bacterial infections. Its ability to specifically target bacteria and/or biofilm, release different drugs in a controlled manner and/or in a smart fashion, i.e. in response to certain stimuli, and incorporate therapeutic cations for combined therapies, envision the development of advanced nanoformulations that could revolutionize the fight against bacterial infection. Keywords: Nanomedicine; bacterial infection; targeted therapy; combined therapy; mesoporous silica nanoparticles; controlled drug delivery; antibiotics; metal ions