(Invited) Brief Review: Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery — A Historical Overview

This brief historical review depicts recent advancements in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, as they have been reported in the journal Nano LIFE for the past 15 years. We begin by summarizing the types of materials used to create nanoparticles, including liposomes, polymers, metals, and carbon-based structures. We then describe their passive targeting properties and various functionalization strategies used to provide active targeting, thus improving their selectivity in vivo. We also explain the emerging use of nanoparticle drug delivery systems for applications beyond cancer therapy, such as in immune modulation and orthopedic areas. Some of the future challenges highlighted include large-scale production and regulatory hurdles, and future areas of growth include artificial intelligence-driven optimization and biogenic manufacturing.