Lipid-Based Nanocarriers in Drug Delivery and Theranostic Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Lipid-based nanocarriers (LNs) are an even wider group of pharmaceutical systems by which drug delivery through various administration routes is being constantly exploited. The attention of researchers and companies towards these kinds of carriers is mainly linked to their composition, based on natural or synthetic highly biocompatible and non-toxic lipid ingredients, with the consequent benefits in terms of regulatory issues, to the easily scalable production methods, and to the possibility of modulating their stability and distribution to specific sites in the body through the bio-chemical modification of surface. LNs can be functionalized with different targeting moieties and possess the potential to cross different physiological barriers, hence improving the pharmacokinetics. The very recent application in vaccine delivery has further enhanced the acceptability of these systems by regulatory bodies.

Apart from important areas of pharmaceutical applications, such as cancer, infectious diseases, immunology, neurological and ocular diseases, gene therapy, for which some clinical trials with LNs are also ongoing, these systems are demonstrating a useful role in other health fields, such as cosmetic products and nutraceuticals.

This Special Issue aims to update the community on the latest research on lipid-based formulations of therapeutics, including but not limiting to solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, drug–lipid conjugates, hybrid nanoparticles, liposomes, and nanoemulsions, both from a technological point of view as well as at preclinical and clinical levels. Submissions of original experimental works and review manuscripts in this wide area of research are thus welcome.

Furthermore, the most advanced area of theranostic applications will be highly appreciated. Since the last decade, in fact, a growing interest in the development of theranostic nanoparticles for simultaneous imaging and therapy has been observed. For instance, a precise targeting of nanocarriers to tumor sites is crucial for both diagnostic and therapeutic goals. 

Prof. Dr. Rosario Pignatello
Prof. Dr. Claudia Carbone
Guest Editors

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• solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN)
• nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC)
• liposomes
• nanoemulsions
• supramolecular nanocarriers
• lipidization
• lipid–drug conjugates
• drug targeting
• drug delivery
• imaging