Polymer-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer nanoparticles are versatile carriers for the delivery of drugs through different delivery routes. This versatility turns them into excellent tools for the development of innovative drug delivery systems. In fact, they can deliver different types of drugs such as conventional drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids in a sustained, controlled, or targeted manner, while simultaneously protecting the stability of the loaded drug. In particular, active and passive targeting can improve the therapeutic effect of drugs and decrease their systemic toxicity, which is very important in the treatment of severe diseases such as cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and others.

Polymers from natural (e.g., alginate, chitosan, cellulose, etc.) or synthetic (e. g. PLA, PLGA, PEG, etc.) sources can be used individually or combined to tailor-make polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery applications. Different production techniques such as solvent diffusion, solvent evaporation, nanoprecipitation, dialysis, spray-drying, and emulsification can be used to produce polymer-based nanoparticles. When focusing on drug delivery, the biocompatibility and toxicity of the delivery system are two important aspects to address.

Other strategies, like the combination with other materials or the use of polymers responsive to stimuli such as light, temperature, pH, electric field, are promising approaches to developing polymer-based nanoparticles for the delivery of drugs and the enhancement of the therapeutic outcome of therapies.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview about the recent advances in the delivery of drugs using polymer-based nanoparticles, focusing on promising strategies for the improvement of therapies and of patients’ quality of life.

As the Guest Editor, I cordially invite all researchers to contribute original research articles or reviews on this important and exciting research field.

Dr. Pedro Fonte
Guest Editor

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