Emerging strategies and multifunctional applications of nanomaterials in modern nanomedicine

The growing complexity of diseases, alongside the limitations of conventional therapies and the rise of multidrug resistance, underscores the pressing need for innovative treatment paradigms. Herein, we highlight the transformative potential of nanomaterials in modern nanomedicine, focusing on their ability to enable precise, targeted, and multifunctional therapeutic interventions. However, despite their promise, clinical translation remains constrained by several challenges, including immune clearance, systemic toxicity, scalability and a lack of long-term safety data. This review systematically presents emerging strategies that are redefining nanomaterial applications in medicine. These include surface functionalization strategies to enhance targeting specificity, hybrid nanomaterial systems for combined therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) functions, and stimuli-responsive strategies for controlled, site-specific drug release. We further examine biomimetic strategies that enable immune evasion by mimicking natural cellular membranes, and scaffold-based approaches that support tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In the context of oncology, we explore strategies to overcome multidrug resistance through the co-delivery of chemotherapeutics and gene modulators. Finally, we emphasize the role of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven strategies in optimizing nanomaterial design, facilitating high-throughput screening, and predicting biological interactions. Collectively, these advancements offer a robust framework for developing next-generation nanotherapeutics that align with the goals of personalized medicine by improving precision, safety, and clinical efficacy. • Nanomaterials enable precise, targeted, and controlled drug delivery in nanomedicine. • Surface-functionalized nanomaterials improve targeting and minimize side effects. • Hybrid nanomaterials offer multifunctional theragnostic capabilities. • Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials provide smart drug release under physiological triggers. • AI accelerates nanomaterial design and enhances biological performance.