Advancing Nano-theranostics in Oral Diseases and Oncology: Innovations and Clinical Translation

Oral pathologies, including periodontal diseases, caries, and OSCC, share common molecular mechanisms with systemic cancers, such as dysregulated inflammation, immune evasion, and genetic mutations. Traditional therapies often fail to achieve localized efficacy while sparing healthy tissues. Nanotechnology provides a paradigm shift through tunable drug carriers (e.g., liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles) and stimuli-responsive systems that improve pharmacokinetics and enable real-time imaging. Recent breakthroughs include pH-sensitive nanoparticles for tumor microenvironment targeting and gene-editing nanocapsules for dysplastic lesion modulation. However, challenges persist in scalability, biocompatibility, and regulatory hurdles. This Research Topic will highlight innovations that overcome these barriers while addressing mechanistic insights into nano-bio interactions in oral and oncological contexts.

Oral diseases and malignancies, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), pose significant clinical challenges due to limited therapeutic specificity, systemic toxicity, and resistance to conventional treatments. The emergence of nanomedicine offers transformative potential by enabling precise drug delivery, enhanced bioavailability, and multifunctional theranostic platforms. This Research Topic aims to consolidate cutting-edge advancements in nanotechnology-driven strategies for diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases and tumors. We seek interdisciplinary contributions that bridge material science, pharmacology, and clinical oncology to address unmet needs in these fields. By fostering innovation in nanomaterial design, biomarker-targeted delivery, and translational validation, this collection aims to accelerate the development of clinically viable nanomedicines.

We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives focusing on:

• Nano-formulations: Design of biocompatible nanocarriers for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or antitumor agents.
• Targeted Delivery: Ligand-functionalized systems for precise biomarker (e.g., EGFR, CD44) engagement in oral lesions.
• Theranostic Platforms: Integration of imaging modalities (e.g., photoacoustic, fluorescence) with therapeutic payloads.
• Preclinical/Clinical Translation: Toxicity profiling, in vivo efficacy studies, and regulatory considerations.
• Emergent Technologies: CRISPR-nanoparticles, exosome mimetics, and AI-driven nanomaterial optimization.

Manuscripts should emphasize mechanistic rigor, translational relevance, or technological novelty. Both hypothesis-driven studies and data-driven analyses are welcome. Case reports and clinical trials must include nanomaterial characterization and ethical compliance. Interdisciplinary collaborations bridging dentistry, oncology, and nanotechnology are particularly encouraged.