Emerging Trends and Applications in Nanomedicine and Targeted Therapies

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 282

Editor


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Guest Editor
NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Interests: nanomedicine; targeted drug delivery; biomaterials; cancer nanotherapeutics; photothermal therapy; nano-biosensors; biopolymeric nanocarriers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomedicine is revolutionizing modern healthcare by enabling targeted, controlled, and efficient therapies at the molecular level. This Special Issue aims to bring together recent advances in the design, synthesis, and application of nanomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Topics of interest include smart nanocarriers for drug delivery, nano-based imaging techniques, multifunctional nanoparticles, responsive systems for site-specific therapy, and the development of biocompatible and biodegradable nanostructures. Contributions exploring translational aspects and clinical relevance are particularly welcome. This Special Issue will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary research bridging materials science, biology, and clinical medicine.

Dr. Marzieh Ramezani Farani
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanomedicine
  • drug delivery systems
  • targeted therapy
  • biomaterials
  • cancer therapy
  • smart nanocarriers
  • biodegradable nanoparticles
  • photothermal therapy
  • nano-diagnostics
  • translational nanotechnology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

50 pages, 4933 KB  
Review
Multifunctional Nano-Contrast Agent Carriers: From Traditional Platforms to Next-Generation Theranostic Applications in Molecular Imaging
by Danial Mirzaee, Marzieh Ramezani Farani, Maryam Ghasemzaei, Amir Gholami, Mohammad Seyedhamzeh, Iraj Alipourfard, Majid Farsadrooh, Mostafa Saffari, Mehdi Mirzaei, Omid Akhavan, Seyed Majid Ghoreishian, Yun Suk Huh, H. Bryan Riley and Mehdi Shafiee Ardestani
Biomedicines 2026, 14(7), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071552 - 10 Jul 2026
Abstract
Multifunctional nano-contrast agent carriers are redefining molecular imaging by combining high-fidelity visualization with targeted delivery, controlled release, and, increasingly, therapeutic action. This review encompasses the development of nano-contrast platforms from conventional dendrimer, liposome, chitosan, and silica systems to modular nano-contrast platforms for multimodal, [...] Read more.
Multifunctional nano-contrast agent carriers are redefining molecular imaging by combining high-fidelity visualization with targeted delivery, controlled release, and, increasingly, therapeutic action. This review encompasses the development of nano-contrast platforms from conventional dendrimer, liposome, chitosan, and silica systems to modular nano-contrast platforms for multimodal, multi-parametric, and activatable imaging in clinically relevant environments. We dissect engineering strategies that govern surface chemistry, ligand organization, stimulus responsiveness, and microenvironmental sensing, and relate them to theranostic performance, immune system engagement, and quantitative image readouts. Biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and safety are discussed from both classical and model-informed perspectives, with design principles that favor predictable behavior, manufacturability, and regulatory acceptance. Current clinical translation, regulatory pathway evolution, and market dynamics are critically reviewed to elucidate that a few nano-contrast agents have reached patients despite a widespread experimental landscape. Finally, we discuss emerging trends, including biomimetic and ultrasmall carriers, metal–organic and hybrid frameworks, AI-assisted design, digital twins, and precision medicine workflows, which are likely to shape the next-generation nano-contrast theranostics. By systematically relating material selection and carrier architecture to imaging function and translational limitations, this review suggests concrete research priorities for taking nano-contrast agents from sophisticated prototypes to robust, patient-tailored tools. Full article
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