Nanocomposites in focus: tailoring drug delivery for enhanced therapeutic outcomes

Abstract Background Nanocomposites made of nanoscale materials may be employed to create innovative drug delivery systems that interface better with biological membranes and selectively deliver drugs to specific cells for targeted and personalized treatment. Due to its versatility and usage in construction, marine, car, aerospace, defense, and biological disciplines, nanocomposites research is expanding. Many researchers are introducing nanoparticles to the matrix to improve their qualities. Main body of the abstract As categorized into polymeric, metallic, and ceramic nanocomposites, the performance characteristics of nanocomposites are improved by different sophisticated top-down and bottom-up preparation methods including in situ polymerization, intercalation techniques, sol–gel, and hydrothermal. These materials can be used for applications such as controlled release, targeted delivery within cells, and pH-responsive systems which take advantage of tumor microenvironments. They improve the efficacy of cancer therapy by modulating the immune system through an immune checkpoint blockade, including PD-1/PD-L1. The composition of polymeric and metallic nanocomposites and the formulations incorporating them are briefed in this work, along with the justification of preference of nanocomposites over other conventional composite materials. Characterization techniques that are employed to study the nanocomposites including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetric are summarized in depth. Short conclusion The described work is a comprehensive review on nanocomposite-based drug delivery system, including importance, manufacturing techniques, formulation development, characterization, and molecular targets. The several opportunities to be explored, limitations prevalent in the area, and future perspectives are discussed to bring revolution in the field of drug delivery and other biomedical applications. The figure explains the fabrication of biopolymer nanocomposites by incorporating polysaccharides, proteins, and polynucleotides with carbon nanomaterials, mineral nanoparticles, and metal nanostructures. Examples include materials for drug delivery, flexible sensors and monitors, energy sources, and lightweight load-bearing structures, focusing on processable, realizable, and sustainable materials (created by BioRender). Graphical abstract