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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology: Recent Advances and Applications
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Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology: Recent Advances and Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 1955

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Wei Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
Interests: drug delivery; pharmaceutics; oral delivery; controlled and sustained release; pharmaceutical technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology continues to redefine the frontiers of pharmaceutical sciences, enabling breakthroughs in targeted drug delivery, diagnostic precision, and therapeutic efficacy that were once deemed unattainable.

This Special Issue aims to curate a collection of high-impact research articles and authoritative reviews that exemplify innovation, originality, and transformative potential at the nexus of nanomaterials, biomedical engineering, and pharmaceutical applications. We seek contributions that illuminate significant advances in the design, synthesis, characterization, and clinical translation of nanoscale systems—spanning smart stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, multifunctional theranostic platforms, nano-bio interaction studies, and emerging applications in gene editing, immunomodulation, or precision medicine. Submissions should emphasize rigorous scientific methodology, clear clinical relevance, and a forward-looking perspective capable of guiding future research trajectories. Priority areas include but are not limited to novel drug delivery systems engineered for spatial-temporal control; nanodiagnostics integrating sensing, imaging, and therapy; mechanistic studies addressing biocompatibility, toxicity, and regulatory pathways; and scalable manufacturing strategies bridging laboratory innovation to clinical practice.

As a curated feature issue, we particularly welcome comprehensive reviews or original research from established researchers whose work has demonstrably influenced the nanomedicine landscape. All submissions will undergo a stringent peer review to ensure scholarly excellence, methodological robustness, and alignment with the journal’s commitment to cutting-edge pharmaceutical nanotechnology. By synthesizing pioneering insights from global experts, this issue aspires to become an enduring reference for academics, clinicians, and industry partners advancing nanoscale solutions to unmet medical challenges.

We cordially invite you to contribute your most impactful work to this timely forum, fostering collaborative progress toward next-generation nanotherapeutics.

Prof. Dr. Wei Wu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • novel drug delivery systems engineered for spatial-temporal control
  • nanodiagnostics integrating sensing, imaging, and therapy
  • mechanistic studies addressing biocompatibility, toxicity, and regulatory pathways
  • scalable manufacturing strategies bridging laboratory innovation to clinical practice

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1871 KB  
Article
L19-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles for the Specific Targeting of EDB-Containing Fibronectin in Neuroblastoma
by Chiara Barisione, Silvia Ortona, Veronica Bensa, Caterina Ivaldo, Eleonora Ciampi, Simonetta Astigiano, Michele Cilli, Luciano Zardi, Mirco Ponzoni, Domenico Palombo, Giovanni Pratesi, Pier Francesco Ferrari and Fabio Pastorino
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010024 - 24 Dec 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and accounts for 12–15% of pediatric cancer-related deaths. Current multimodal therapies lack specific cellular targets, causing systemic toxicity and drug resistance. The development of innovative tumor-targeted nanoformulations might represent [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and accounts for 12–15% of pediatric cancer-related deaths. Current multimodal therapies lack specific cellular targets, causing systemic toxicity and drug resistance. The development of innovative tumor-targeted nanoformulations might represent a promising approach to enhance NB diagnosis and antitumor efficacy, while decreasing off targets side effects. Fibronectin extra-domain B (FN-EDB) is upregulated in the tumor microenvironment. Methods: FN-EDB expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in cell line-derived and tumor patient-derived animal models of NB. A gold nanoparticle, decorated with an antibody (Ab) recognizing FN-EDB (L19-AuNP) was developed by the company Nano Flow and its tumor binding was tested by ELISA in vitro and in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of NB by photoacoustic imaging in vivo. Results: All animal models of NB used have been shown to express FN-EDB. L19 Ab demonstrated excellent binding specificity to FN-EDB both when used in free form and after conjugation to AuNP. Compared to the non-functionalized (no Ab L19-coupled) AuNP, which showed an increase in PDI and zeta potential over time, making them unsuitable for use in in vivo studies, L19-AuNP demonstrated good stability. In vivo, L19-AuNP specifically homed into PDX models of NB, accumulating better in tumors expressing higher levels of FN-EDB. Negligible distribution to healthy organs occurred. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, L19-AuNP was shown to be a novel diagnostic tool specifically for binding NB expressing FN-EDB, paving the way for the development of theranostic nanoformulations co-encapsulating gold moiety and standard-of-care therapy for NB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology: Recent Advances and Applications)
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20 pages, 15829 KB  
Article
Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of an Oral Triptolide Nanomatrix System for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy
by Yujian Liang, Mingyu Li, Qing Zhou, Chenyang Liu, Longfei Lin, Liuqing Yang and Wenbing Dai
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(12), 1567; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17121567 - 5 Dec 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Background: Triptolide (TP), a principal bioactive component of Tripterygium wilfordii, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, its application is still limited due to its poor solubility and systemic toxicity, primarily caused by uncontrolled absorption after oral administration. Our previously established oral nanomatrix [...] Read more.
Background: Triptolide (TP), a principal bioactive component of Tripterygium wilfordii, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, its application is still limited due to its poor solubility and systemic toxicity, primarily caused by uncontrolled absorption after oral administration. Our previously established oral nanomatrix system, composed mainly of commercially available nanoporous Sylysia and Eudragit®, can not only enhance the in vitro dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs, but also modulate their absorption sites in gastrointestinal tract. Methods: We prepared a TP nanomatrix system using Sylysia 350 and Eudragit® L100 to modulate TP’s dissolution in order to overcome TP’s limitation. Then, the nanomatrix was evaluated through in vitro dissolution, physicochemical characterization, and in vivo pharmacokinetic study, and then was comprehensively assessed for efficacy and safety in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. Results: TP nanomatrix system exhibited a marked increase in drug dissolution in various media, especially in pH 6.8 medium. The nanomatrix system showed better oral bioavailability than free TP, yet with no toxicity observed. Conclusions: This study developed a simple oral nanomatrix system of TP with enhanced anti-inflammatory efficacy without observed toxicity, and provided a potential strategy to progress the clinical translation of TP products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology: Recent Advances and Applications)
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18 pages, 3021 KB  
Article
Pancreatic Cancer-Targeting Cascade Nanoamplifier Enables Self-Replenishing H2O2 Generation and Autophagy Disruption in Chemodynamic Therapy
by Jiaqi Yu, Lishuai Feng, Yunpeng Tang, Nianhui Yu, Jianning Lin, Yuan Ji and Hui Li
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(9), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091201 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 876
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Conventional therapeutic strategies exhibit limited efficacy against pancreatic cancer, primarily due to its profoundly hypoxic tumor microenvironment and dense fibrotic stroma. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) holds promise; however, its application in pancreatic cancer is restricted by insufficient endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Conventional therapeutic strategies exhibit limited efficacy against pancreatic cancer, primarily due to its profoundly hypoxic tumor microenvironment and dense fibrotic stroma. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) holds promise; however, its application in pancreatic cancer is restricted by insufficient endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and the activation of protective autophagy in response to oxidative stress. Methods: To overcome these obstacles, we developed a tumor microenvironment-responsive, pancreatic cancer-targeted CDT nanoamplifier—H-MnO2/GOX&CQ-iRGD—comprising a hollow mesoporous MnO2 shell co-loaded with glucose oxidase (GOX) and chloroquine (CQ), and surface-functionalized with the tumor-penetrating peptide iRGD. GOX catalyzes glucose oxidation to generate H2O2, enhancing Fenton-like reactions. CQ suppresses autophagy induced by oxidative stress, thereby alleviating therapy resistance. The iRGD peptide targets integrin αvβ3, which is overexpressed on pancreatic cancer cells and tumor vasculature, promoting deep tumor penetration and enhanced delivery efficiency. Results: We comprehensively characterized the nanoplatform’s physicochemical properties, tumor microenvironment triggered degradation, controlled drug release, glucose-driven H2O2 generation, and hydroxyl radical production in vitro. Cellular studies assessed nanoparticle uptake, intracellular H2O2 production, autophagy inhibition, and cytotoxicity. In vivo experiments further demonstrated effective tumor targeting and significant therapeutic outcomes in pancreatic cancer models. Conclusions: This nanoplatform addresses major barriers of CDT—namely, insufficient H2O2 levels, autophagy-mediated resistance, and limited intratumoral penetration—offering a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology: Recent Advances and Applications)
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Review

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42 pages, 2995 KB  
Review
Plasma Cell Myeloma: Biochemical Insights into Diagnosis, Treatment, and Smart Nanocarrier-Based Therapeutic Development
by Lizeth Geraldine Muñoz, Sixta Palencia Luna and Andrés Felipe Chamorro
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(12), 1570; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17121570 - 5 Dec 2025
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is classified as a blood cancer and is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow and the excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulins, which lead to permanent damage to vital organs. Although treatment strategies have [...] Read more.
Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is classified as a blood cancer and is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow and the excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulins, which lead to permanent damage to vital organs. Although treatment strategies have improved with the development of proteasome inhibitors (PIs), immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), PCM remains an incurable disease due to its molecular heterogeneity and the development of drug resistance. In this review, we discuss the biochemical and molecular foundations underlying the diagnosis and treatment of PCM, emphasizing both traditional and advanced approaches. Classical methods such as serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), and serum free light chain (sFLC) determination are highlighted alongside their integration with highly sensitive techniques like mass spectrometry (MS) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Special attention is given to nanotechnology-based systems, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), dendrimers, and hybrid nanocapsules, which enable controlled drug release, targeted delivery, and the minimization of systemic toxicity. Increasingly, nanomaterials are being shown to greatly enhance the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs, leading to improved therapeutic effects and escaping resistance mechanisms by employing multifunctional strategies that include dual drug co-encapsulation, pH-sensitive release and theranostic applications. Furthermore, the integration of nanotechnology with immunotherapy platforms represents a paradigm shift toward precision and personalized medicine for the treatment of PCM. Overall, this review views nanotechnology as an enabling technology to improve therapeutic effectiveness, minimize toxicity and open new avenues toward next-generation smart and personalized therapeutics for the treatment of PCM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology: Recent Advances and Applications)
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