How Advanced Is Nanomedicine for Atherosclerosis?

Xiang Gu,1,* Lixin Du,1,* Ruifang Lin,2 Zehui Ding,2 Zhihua Guo,2 Jiaming Wei,2 Ya Li1 1School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China; 2School of Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jiaming Wei; Ya Li, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Advances in nanotechnology have opened new avenues for precision therapy, personalized medicine, and multifunctional theranostics in atherosclerosis (AS). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of nanoparticles (NPs) in precision medicine for AS, discussing their applications, challenges, and future prospects. The review first analyzes the current treatment landscape of AS and outlines potential biological targets for therapy. Various nanocarriers, including organic, inorganic, and hybrid systems, are evaluated for their therapeutic potential, with a focus on targeted drug delivery, anti-inflammatory therapy, vascular repair, plaque stabilization, and lipid clearance. Additionally, the review explores NP preparation methods, emphasizing strategies to enhance drug loading, stability, and controlled release. Finally, the translational challenges of NP-based therapies, including biocompatibility, large-scale production, regulatory hurdles, and clinical implementation, are critically analyzed. Future directions highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation in advancing nanoparticle-based precision medicine for AS.Keywords: nanoparticles, nanocarrier, nanomedicine, atherosclerosis, precision medicine