Recent Advances in Nanosystems for Drug Delivery and Cancer Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, representing a major challenge for modern medicine due to its biological complexity, heterogeneity, and resistance to conventional therapies. The continuous need for more effective and selective treatment strategies has driven the exploration of advanced technologies capable of overcoming the limitations of traditional approaches. In this context, nanotechnology has revolutionized biomedical research, offering powerful tools for precise drug delivery and innovative cancer therapies. Nanoscale systems, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanostructures, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), enable controlled pharmacokinetics, targeted delivery, and reduced systemic toxicity. Moreover, the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities within a single nanoplatform has fostered the emergence of theranostic approaches, paving the way toward personalized cancer therapy.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current progress and future perspectives in the design and application of advanced nanosystems for drug delivery and cancer therapy. It seeks to highlight interdisciplinary approaches that integrate materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedical research, with the ultimate goal of improving the precision, selectivity, and safety of anticancer treatments. Both synthetic and naturally derived nanosystems, ranging from engineered nanoparticles to vesicle-based delivery platforms, fall within the scope of this Special Issue.

We welcome contributions that report on innovative nanosystems designed for targeted or stimuli-responsive drug release, combination therapies, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. We particularly encourage the submission of studies on multifunctional nanoplatforms integrating therapeutic and diagnostic functions, as well as investigations into the interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems. Advances in understanding the mechanisms governing nanosystem behavior in vitro and in vivo are essential to the acceleration of clinical translation.

We invite the submission of original research articles, reviews, and communications covering, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Synthesis, functionalization, and characterization of nanocarriers for drug delivery;
• Targeted and controlled-release nanosystems for cancer therapy;
• Vesicle-based nanocarriers for therapeutic applications;
• Theranostic and multifunctional nanoplatforms;
• Studies on biocompatibility, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of nanomaterials;
• Translational and preclinical research in nanomedicine and oncology.

With this Special Issue, we aim to showcase research advancing our understanding and the application of nanotechnology in the development of next-generation cancer therapies.

Dr. Eleonora Calzoni
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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