Innovative Paths in Targeted Drug Delivery: Advances in Precision and Control

This Research Topic invites contributions exploring the forefront of targeted drug delivery, emphasizing recent advances in precision and control. With the rapid evolution of biomaterials, nanotechnology, and intelligent delivery platforms, the landscape of drug delivery has dramatically shifted toward personalized and site-specific therapy. These innovative strategies offer unprecedented opportunities to overcome biological barriers, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and minimize off-target effects. We seek submissions that dissect novel mechanisms of payload targeting, delve into responsive and stimuli-sensitive carriers, and showcase translational progress from bench to clinic. Authors are encouraged to highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining materials science, molecular engineering, bioinformatics, and clinical translation that promise to redefine modern therapeutics. The issue aims to foster knowledge exchange and stimulate further discovery in this dynamic field. Researchers from academia, industry, and clinical practice are invited to contribute cutting-edge reviews, original research, perspectives, and case studies illuminating new directions and challenges in targeted drug delivery.

Targeted drug delivery represents a transformative approach in therapeutic development, aiming to deliver therapeutics precisely where and when they are needed most. Over the past decade, rapid advancements in materials science, nanomedicine, and molecular manipulation have enabled the creation of vehicles that can recognize cellular markers, respond to physiological stimuli, and release drugs in a programmable fashion. Coupled with progress in diagnostics and personalized medicine, these innovations are reshaping how we approach treatment for complex diseases. Nevertheless, challenges such as biological heterogeneity, immune system interactions, and scalable manufacturing persist, underscoring the need for continued research to optimize safety, efficacy, and clinical translation.

Despite astonishing progress, efficient and precise drug delivery remains a major challenge in treating diverse diseases, particularly cancer, inflammatory disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Traditional systemic drug administration suffers from poor tissue selectivity and unintended side effects. The overarching goal of this Research Topic is to gather innovative research and perspectives that tackle the existing barriers in targeted drug delivery, focusing on recent advancements that provide enhanced spatial and temporal control over therapeutic administration. By highlighting engineering breakthroughs, such as multifunctional nanocarriers, stimuli-responsive platforms, and patient-tailored delivery systems, we seek to inspire the community to transcend current limitations. This special issue aims not only to showcase state-of-the-art technologies but also to encourage dialogue on translating promising laboratory discoveries into clinical solutions.

The special issue aims to cover a broad spectrum of topics within targeted drug delivery. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: smart nanocarriers and microdevices, ligand-receptor targeting strategies, environment-responsive release systems, gene and RNA delivery, delivery across biological barriers (e.g., blood-brain barrier), and real-time monitoring of delivery and release. Submissions addressing translational research, preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory considerations, and innovative manufacturing approaches are welcome. We invite a range of manuscript types: original research, comprehensive reviews, technological advances, perspectives, and case reports that challenge paradigms or highlight practical applications. All submissions should clearly articulate their contributions to advancing precision and control in the field of targeted drug delivery.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Targeted drug delivery, biomaterials, controlled release, targeting ligands, biological barriers, precision, off-target effects, optimization, innovation, delivery strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.