Nanomaterial Strategies for Delivery of Therapeutic Cargoes

Abstract

Abstract Over the last decade, much progress has been made in developing nanoparticle‐mediated delivery systems to overcome the limitations of existing in vivo delivery technologies. However, the balance between efficacy and safety continues to limit the clinical translation of nanoscale delivery systems. Furthermore, optimizing delivery efficiency requires tuning nanoparticle type and attachment chemistry, both of which are dependent on the cargo being delivered. While the delivery of protein therapeutics is of particular interest, the complexity inherent to protein cargo introduces additional challenges for cargo loading and stabilization. Advances needed for efficient and safe in vivo nanoparticle delivery systems should prioritize design strategies that co‐optimize safety, biodegradability, and covalent functionalization. In this review, the most commonly used non‐viral nanoparticles are outlined for delivery of small molecule drug, nucleic acid, and protein therapeutic cargoes and potential strategies are discussed for rationally designing nanoparticle‐mediated delivery systems.