Innovative Nanomaterials and Metal Complexes as a Platform for Targeted Therapeutics
A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Targeting and Design".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 9
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cancer therapy; tumor models; nanomaterials; combination therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Targeted therapeutics is a rapidly evolving field that seeks to improve the treatment of various diseases by delivering drugs specifically to the affected tissues or cells, thereby minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues. Traditional drug delivery systems often suffer from limitations such as poor bioavailability, nonspecific distribution, and rapid clearance from the body. In contrast, innovative nanomaterials and metal complexes offer unique advantages, including enhanced biocompatibility, tunable physicochemical properties, and the ability to be functionalized with targeting ligands. These features make them highly attractive for the development of next-generation targeted therapeutics.
This Special Issue aims to collect cutting-edge research articles and reviews from leading experts in the field. Contributions may cover a wide range of topics, including the design and synthesis of novel nanomaterials and metal complexes, their biological evaluation, and their potential applications in targeted drug delivery. Some of the key topics of interest include the following:
- Nanomaterials for Targeted Drug Delivery: Several studies focus on the development of various nanomaterials, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic nanoparticles, for targeted drug delivery. These materials can encapsulate or conjugate therapeutic agents and be engineered to release the drugs in response to specific stimuli, such as pH, temperature, or enzymes, thereby enhancing their therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects.
- Metal Complexes as Therapeutic Agents: Metal complexes have gained significant attention due to their unique chemical and physical properties, which can be exploited for targeted therapeutics. Articles in this Special Issue explore the use of metal complexes, such as platinum, gold, and ruthenium complexes, for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. These complexes can be designed to target specific cellular receptors or enzymes, thereby improving their selectivity and reducing toxicity.
- Multifunctional Nanosystems: Some contributions highlight the development of multifunctional nanosystems that combine therapeutic agents with imaging agents or targeting ligands. These systems offer the potential for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of diseases, enabling real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and patient response.
- Clinical Translation and Challenges: This Special Issue also addresses the challenges associated with the clinical translation of these innovative materials, including issues related to biocompatibility, toxicity, and regulatory approval. Perspectives from researchers and clinicians provide valuable insights into the future research directions and potential solutions for overcoming these challenges.
Dr. Željko Prijović
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- targeted therapeutics
- nanomaterials
- metal complexes
- drug delivery
- biocompatibility
- stimuli-responsive
- multifunctional nanosystems
- clinical translation
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