Emerging nanomedicine for liver diseases treatment
Yawen Zhu, Dongxue Ge, Jinglin Wang, Hao Sun, W P Li, Haozhen Ren
Abstract
The liver is the largest parenchymal organ in the human body, crucial for overall health. However, hepatic diseases have become a global epidemic, causing significant burdens. While traditional therapies for liver diseases such as hepatic fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma have shown limited efficacy and significant side effects, the advent of nanotechnology has introduced novel and promising therapeutic strategies. Nanomedicine, with its excellent biocompatibility, surface modification capabilities, and high targeting ability, has the potential to revolutionize liver disease treatment. Here, we systematically review the latest advancements in nanomaterials for liver diseases, focusing on innovative nanocarriers such as exosomes, liposomes, microneedle technologies, biomimetic microfibers, and emerging platforms. We highlight critical gaps in current nanomedicine research, including biocompatibility and toxicity concerns, scalability and cost-effectiveness of production, and the need for personalized medicine and patient-specific nanotherapies. By addressing these challenges, nanotechnology can provide a multifunctional and powerful platform to significantly improve liver health and overcome existing limitations in clinical translation.