Targeting collagen in tumor extracellular matrix as a novel targeted strategy in cancer immunotherapy

Potential Targeting Mechanisms for Bone-Directed Therapies

Bone development is characterized by complex regulation mechanisms, including signal transduction and transcription factor-related pathways, glycobiological processes, cellular interactions, transportation mechanisms, and, importantly, chemical formation resulting from hydroxyapatite. Any abnormal regulation in the bone development processes causes skeletal system-related problems. To some extent, the avascularity of cartilage and bone makes drug delivery more challenging than that of soft tissues. Recent studies have implemented many novel bone-targeting approaches to overcome drawbacks. However, none of these strategies fully corrects skeletal dysfunction, particularly in growth plate-related ones. Although direct recombinant enzymes (e.g., Vimizim for Morquio, Cerezyme for Gaucher, Elaprase for Hunter, Mepsevii for Sly diseases) or hormone infusions (estrogen for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis), traditional gene delivery (e.g., direct infusion of viral or non-viral vectors with no modifications on capsid, envelope, or nanoparticles), and cell therapy strategies (healthy bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) partially improve bone lesions, novel delivery methods must be addressed regarding target specificity, less immunogenicity, and duration in circulation. In addition to improvements in bone delivery, potential regulation of bone development mechanisms involving receptor-regulated pathways has also been utilized. Targeted drug delivery using organic and inorganic compounds is a promising approach in mostly preclinical settings and future clinical translation. This review comprehensively summarizes the current bone-targeting strategies based on bone structure and remodeling concepts while emphasizing potential approaches for future bone-targeting systems.

Harnessing the potential of hydrogels for advanced therapeutic applications: current achievements and future directions

The applications of hydrogels have expanded significantly due to their versatile, highly tunable properties and breakthroughs in biomaterial technologies. In this review, we cover the major achievements and the potential of hydrogels in therapeutic applications, focusing primarily on two areas: emerging cell-based therapies and promising non-cell therapeutic modalities. Within the context of cell therapy, we discuss the capacity of hydrogels to overcome the existing translational challenges faced by mainstream cell therapy paradigms, provide a detailed discussion on the advantages and principal design considerations of hydrogels for boosting the efficacy of cell therapy, as well as list specific examples of their applications in different disease scenarios. We then explore the potential of hydrogels in drug delivery, physical intervention therapies, and other non-cell therapeutic areas (e.g., bioadhesives, artificial tissues, and biosensors), emphasizing their utility beyond mere delivery vehicles. Additionally, we complement our discussion on the latest progress and challenges in the clinical application of hydrogels and outline future research directions, particularly in terms of integration with advanced biomanufacturing technologies. This review aims to present a comprehensive view and critical insights into the design and selection of hydrogels for both cell therapy and non-cell therapies, tailored to meet the therapeutic requirements of diverse diseases and situations.

Biologics, theranostics, and personalized medicine in drug delivery systems

The progress in human disease treatment can be greatly advanced through the implementation of nanomedicine. This approach involves targeted and cell-specific therapy, controlled drug release, personalized dosage forms, wearable drug delivery, and companion diagnostics. By integrating cutting-edge technologies with drug delivery systems, greater precision can be achieved at the tissue and cellular levels through the use of stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, and the development of electrochemical sensor systems. This precision targeting - by virtue of nanotechnology - allows for therapy to be directed specifically to affected tissues while greatly reducing side effects on healthy tissues. As such, nanomedicine has the potential to transform the treatment of conditions such as cancer, genetic diseases, and chronic illnesses by facilitating precise and cell-specific drug delivery. Additionally, personalized dosage forms and wearable devices offer the ability to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each patient, thereby increasing therapeutic effectiveness and compliance. Companion diagnostics further enable efficient monitoring of treatment response, enabling customized adjustments to the treatment plan. The question of whether all the potential therapeutic approaches outlined here are viable alternatives to current treatments is also discussed. In general, the application of nanotechnology in the field of biomedicine may provide a strong alternative to existing treatments for several reasons. In this review, we aim to present evidence that, although in early stages, fully merging advanced technology with innovative drug delivery shows promise for successful implementation across various disease areas, including cancer and genetic or chronic diseases.