Fibrosis, as a shared hallmark, is prevalent in a variety of chronic diseases. However, current pharmacological strategies for fibrosis are limited in clinical application and efficacy due to issues such as insufficient targeting capability, systemic toxicity, and low bioavailability. The advent of nanotechnology has ushered in an era of novel therapeutic strategies for fibrosis, revolutionizing the treatment landscape. This article systematically reviews the dual applications of nanomaterials in fibrosis treatment: first, as nanoparticle drug delivery systems (NDDS) to enhance targeting, control release, and improve drug bioavailability; second, as therapeutic agents directly alleviating the onset and progression of fibrosis. Furthermore, this article further discusses the applications of nanomaterials with diverse designs and compositions in fibrosis affecting different organs. • The emergence of nanocarriers has significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of anti-fibrotic drugs; • Intelligent responsive design achieves precise drug release in both temporal and spatial dimensions; • Nanomaterials possess the capability of active microenvironmental regulation that goes beyond mere drug delivery; • The personalized design of nanomaterials is critical for overcoming the pathological barriers of various organs.
Wu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.