The question behind this study
This review traces the development of drug-delivery nanomaterials and the barriers to clinical translation. It connects carrier design for particular tissues and payloads with questions of biodistribution, degradation and toxicity.
What the study shows
The review traces the development of drug-delivery nanomaterials and their clinical and approval status at the time of publication.
It connects carrier design with target tissues, diseases, drug payloads and barriers to clinical use.
Open questions
The abstract identifies degradation rate and distribution in the body as unresolved issues.
Conditions for comparison
Compare material classes, administration routes and payloads, while separating distribution and clearance from efficacy.
Related studies
Analysis of nanoparticle delivery to tumours
DOI: 10.1038/natrevmats.2016.14 ↗
A multivariate analysis of solid-tumour delivery studies examines how distribution in the body can limit clinical translation.
This connection is based on the publisher abstract. Findings pooled across solid-tumour studies cannot be extended to every carrier or to human treatment outcomes.
Abstract-based introductionSources used in this summary
This summary draws on the main text and original figures. Supplementary materials and underlying data have not been independently reviewed in full. Individual cited studies and their supplements were not independently reviewed in full.