International Journal of Nanomedicine (Nov 2023)
Advancements in Macrophage-Targeted Drug Delivery for Effective Disease Management
Abstract
Hanxiao Liu,1– 3 Hui Lv,2,3 Xuehui Duan,3 Yan Du,3 Yixuan Tang,3 Wei Xu1– 3 1School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery System, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drugs of National Health Commission, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yixuan Tang; Wei Xu, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Macrophages play a crucial role in tissue homeostasis and the innate immune system. They perform essential functions such as presenting antigens, regulating cytokines, and responding to inflammation. However, in diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and autoimmune conditions, macrophages undergo aberrant polarization, which disrupts tissue regulation and impairs their normal behavior. To address these challenges, there has been growing interest in developing customized targeted drug delivery systems specifically designed for macrophage-related functions in different anatomical locations. Nanomedicine, utilizing nanoscale drug systems, offers numerous advantages including improved stability, enhanced pharmacokinetics, controlled release kinetics, and precise temporal drug delivery. These advantages hold significant promise in achieving heightened therapeutic efficacy, specificity, and reduced side effects in drug delivery and treatment approaches. This review aims to explore the roles of macrophages in major diseases and present an overview of current strategies employed in targeted drug delivery to macrophages. Additionally, this article critically evaluates the design of macrophage-targeted delivery systems, highlighting limitations and discussing prospects in this rapidly evolving field. By assessing the strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches, we can identify areas for improvement and refinement in macrophage-targeted drug delivery.Keywords: macrophages, nanomedicine, drug delivery, tumors, autoimmune disease
