Nanoparticles as Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Targeted drug delivery has revolutionized modern therapeutics by the enabling site-specific drug action while minimizing systemic toxicity. Nanoparticles have emerged as the promising carriers due to their unique physicochemical properties, including small size, high surface area, tunable surface characteristics, and ability to encapsulate diverse therapeutic agents. Various nanoparticle systems such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles have the demonstrated significant potential in improving drug bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic outcomes. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have facilitated the development of smart and stimuli-responsive nanoparticles capable of targeted drug release in response to the specific physiological conditions. This review discusses the classification, mechanisms, recent advances, therapeutic applications, challenges, and future perspectives of nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery systems.