Polymer-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications (Volume II)

Dear Colleagues,

Given the success of the first volume, the importance of this topic in the scientific community is clear. Therefore, this second volume of the Special Issue is focused on following the last trends in the field.

Polymer nanoparticles are versatile carriers for the delivery of drugs through different delivery routes. This versatility makes them excellent tools for the development of innovative drug delivery systems. In fact, they can deliver different types of drugs, such as conventional drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids in a sustained, controlled, or targeted manner, while simultaneously protecting the stability of the loaded drug. When focusing on drug delivery, the biocompatibility and toxicity of the delivery system are two important aspects to address.

Polymers from natural (alginate, chitosan, cellulose, etc.) or synthetic (PLA, PLGA, PEG, etc.) sources can be used individually or combined to tailor-make polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery applications. Strategies like the combination with other materials or the use of polymers that are responsive to stimuli such as light, temperature, pH, and electric field are promising approaches to developing polymer-based nanoparticles for the delivery of drugs and the enhancement of therapeutic outcome.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of recent advances in the delivery of drugs using polymer-based nanoparticles, focusing on promising strategies for the improvement of therapies and of patients’ quality of life.

As the Guest Editor, I cordially invite all researchers to contribute original research articles or reviews in this important and exciting research field.

Dr. Pedro Fonte
Guest Editor

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