Innovative Boron-Based Drug Delivery Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Boron-containing agents are central to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), where selective delivery of sufficient boron to tumors is a key determinant of therapeutic success. At the same time, boron-based drugs and boron-containing nanomaterials are increasingly used in other therapeutic areas, including oncology, dermatology, infectious diseases, and advanced imaging. Across these diverse applications, a rational drug delivery system (DDS) design is essential to control solubility, stability, pharmacokinetics, tissue targeting, and safety.

This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge advances in boron-based drug delivery, with BNCT as a core focus while also welcoming broader work on boron-containing drugs and boron-based nanomedicine, in line with the scope of Pharmaceutics. We invite studies that address the design, formulation, and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of boron agents, as well as translational research that bridges pharmaceutical technology with clinical or preclinical applications.

For this Special Issue, submissions of original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: (i) novel boron carriers for BNCT (small molecules, peptides, polymers, liposomes, nanoparticles, and hybrid systems); (ii) delivery optimization of approved or emerging boron drugs (e.g., benzoxaboroles and boronic acid–based therapeutics); (iii) formulation approaches advanced DDS platforms; (iv) boron-based nanomaterials for drug delivery and imaging; and (v) imaging, biodistribution analysis, dosimetry, and combination therapies integrating boron-based strategies with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Makoto Shirakawa
Dr. Tomohiro Tanaka
Dr. Alexander Zaboronok
Guest Editors

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