Biotransporting Biocatalytic Reactors toward Therapeutic Nanofactories. Issue 11 (19th September 2018) - Nishimura, Tomoki
Abstract: Drug‐delivery systems (DDSs), in which drug encapsulation in nanoparticles enables targeted delivery of therapeutic agents and their release at specific disease sites, are important because they improve drug efficacy and help to decrease side effects. Although significant progress has been made in the development of DDSs for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, new approaches that increase the scope and effectiveness of such systems are still needed. Concepts such as nanoreactors and nanofactories are therefore attracting much attention. Nanoreactors, which basically consist of vesicle‐encapsulated enzymes, provide prodrug conversion to therapeutic agents rather than simple drug delivery. Nanofactories are an extension of this concept and combine the features of nanoreactors and delivery carriers. Here, the required features of nanofactories are discussed and an overview of current strategies for the design and fabrication of different types of nanoreactors, i.e., systems based on lipid or polymer vesicles, capsules, mesoporous silica, viral capsids, and hydrogels, and their respective advantages and shortcomings, is provided. In vivo applications of biocatalytic reactors in the treatment of cancer, glaucoma, neuropathic pain, and alcohol intoxication are also discussed. Finally, the prospects for further progress in this important and promising field are outlined. Abstract : Therapeutic nanofactories, which combine the features of nanoreactors and delivery carriers, would enable the production of drugs or detoxification at a disease site. The potential performance of therapeutic nanofactories encourages the rapid development and wide application of new therapeutic platforms. Design strategies, requirements of compartments for therapeutic nanofactories, and the use of therapeutic nanofactories for in vivo medical applications are reviewed.