Nanotechnology based Drug Delivery for Infectious Diseases
Dr. Vinod Kumar Rajana, Assistant Professor, Shri Vishnu College of Pharmacy
From battling superbugs to smart drug targeting, nanotechnology is redefining infectious disease therapy. Inspired by how probiotics dodge immune cells, this article explores bioinspired nanocarriers with stealth and precision. Fusing nature’s survival tricks with cutting-edge science, we unveil how tiny particles can make a big difference in the fight against infections.
Introduction: Redefining Infectious Disease Treatment with Nanotechnology
Infectious diseases continue to pose a serious threat to global health, particularly in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), emerging viral outbreaks (COVID), and neglected tropical diseases, with an estimated 5 million fatalities linked to bacterial AMR in 2019 The WHO research agenda for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health has selected 40 research priorities to be addressed by the year 2030. These priorities focus on bacterial and fungal pathogens of essential relevance in tackling AMR, including drug-resistant infections causing TB(Bertagnolio et al., 2024)
Despite advances in pharmaceutical sciences, conventional drug delivery methods often fall short due to poor bioavailability, systemic toxicity, rapid clearance, and non-specific distribution of drugs. Addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates a comprehensive and integrated strategy encompassing enhanced comprehension of mechanisms and drivers at both individual and population levels, for the development of innovative antimicrobial therapeutic strategies(Ho et al., 2024).These limitations not only reduce treatment efficacy but also contribute to the development of resistant pathogens.
In this context, nanotechnology offers a paradigm shift. By enabling precise delivery of therapeutics directly to the site of infection, nanocarriers can enhance drug accumulation at target tissues, minimise off-target effects, and protect active pharmaceutical ingredients from degradation. This approach holds particular promise for treating hard-to-reach infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, and deep fungal diseases, where conventional therapies often fail(Cheng et al., 2025).
This article explores the role of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems in combating infectious diseases. It also draws inspiration from natural defence mechanisms, such as how probiotics evade immune clearance, to inform the next generation of immune-stealth nanocarriers. The convergence of biology and nanoscience opens exciting new frontiers in infectious disease therapy, where tiny particles may lead to mighty breakthroughs.
The Nanotech Advantage: Precision in Drug Delivery
At the heart of nanotechnology’s promise lies its ability to engineer drug carriers at the nanoscale—typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. These tiny structures can be custom-designed to interact specifically with infected tissues or pathogens, significantly improving therapeutic outcomes compared to traditional dosage forms.
A wide range of nanocarrier systems has been explored for infectious diseases, including:
- Liposomes – spherical vesicles that can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, often used for antifungal and antiviral delivery (e.g., liposomal amphotericin B).
- Polymeric nanoparticles – biodegradable polymers like PLGA and chitosan can provide sustained drug release and enhanced mucosal penetration.
- Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) – combining the benefits of liposomes and polymeric carriers, SLNs improve drug stability and control over release.
- Dendrimers – tree-like branched polymers with multivalent surfaces that can carry multiple drug molecules or targeting ligands.
- Metallic nanoparticles – silver, gold, and zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibit intrinsic antimicrobial properties while also serving as drug carriers.
What sets nanocarriers apart is their surface modifiability. Functionalising them with ligands like antibodies, peptides, or sugars enables them to actively target pathogens or infected cells, reducing damage to healthy tissues. Furthermore, smart nanocarriers can be designed to respond to internal stimuli such as pH, enzymes, or oxidative stress—releasing the drug only when and where it’s needed most.
This level of precision and control not only enhances drug effectiveness but also reduces dosing frequency and side effects—two major barriers in infectious disease treatment. As the field evolves, nanocarriers are no longer just passive carriers but dynamic platforms that can be programmed for smarter delivery and pathogen-specific action(Karahmet Sher et al., 2024).
Case Studies: Tackling Infections at the Nanoscale
Nanotechnology is not a distant promise—it is already reshaping how we fight infectious diseases. Through several real-world and experimental examples, nanocarriers have demonstrated their potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy across bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
A phase 1 dose escalation study assessed the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1345, a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, in healthy adults aged 18 to 49 years. Results showed mRNA-1345 was well tolerated at all dose levels, with common adverse reactions being pain, headache, fatigue, myalgia, or chills. A single injection of mRNA-1345 boosted RSV neutralising antibody titers and prefusion binding antibody concentrations, with no apparent dose response. Clinical trials registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04528719.(Shaw et al., 2024)
The naNO-COVID trial evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a CD8 + T cell, gold nanoparticle-based, peptide COVID-19 vaccine. The trial involved 20 participants who received PepGNP-Covid19 or Vehicle-GNP, followed over 180 days. The vaccines were safe, with no serious adverse events reported. The vaccine induced a modulation of Covid19-specific CD137 + CD69 + CD8 +, and an increase in central and effector memory T cells. The favourable safety profile and cellular responses support further development. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05113862, approved 09.11.2021.(Besson et al., 2025)
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have developed two mRNA-based vaccines, BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna), to prevent SARS-CoV-2 caused COVID-19. These vaccines, developed using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), have been granted emergency use authorisation (EUA) by the US-FDA. This article explores the potential application of LNPs in the development and delivery of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.(Wilson & Geetha, 2022)
Beyond vaccines, nanoformulations of antiretroviral drugs for HIV are being developed to enable long-acting injectable therapies, reducing dosing burden and improving adherence.
| Drug Name | Nanoparticle Type | Indication | Company |
| Doxil® | PEGylated Liposomal Doxorubicin | Ovarian cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, multiple myeloma | Johnson & Johnson |
| Abraxane® | Albumin-bound Paclitaxel | Breast, lung, pancreatic cancer | Celgene (Bristol Myers Squibb) |
| Onivyde® | Liposomal Irinotecan | Metastatic pancreatic cancer | Ipsen (Merrimack Pharmaceuticals) |
| Vyxeos® | Liposomal Daunorubicin + Cytarabine | Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) | Jazz Pharmaceuticals |
| Onpattro® | Lipid Nanoparticle (siRNA) | Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis | Alnylam Pharmaceuticals |
| Comirnaty® | Lipid Nanoparticle (mRNA) | COVID-19 vaccine | Pfizer–BioNTech |
Nanotechnology doesn’t just enhance existing drugs—it reinvents how they behave in the body. These case studies illustrate that nanocarriers are not only clinically relevant but also essential in developing the next generation of anti-infectives.
Learning from Probiotics: Escaping the Immune Radar
Probiotics, beneficial microbes, can survive within a host without being eliminated by phagocytic cells like macrophages. This natural stealth strategy offers insights for designing advanced nanocarriers that can evade immune detection and extend their circulation time. Probiotics use surface masking, secretion of immunomodulatory metabolites, and pH and oxidative stress resistance to escape immune clearance. Researchers are developing "stealth nanocarriers" coated with polymers like PEG or bioinspired materials like bacterial cell wall fragments and exopolysaccharides. These modifications reduce opsonisation and delay recognition by macrophages, allowing nanocarriers to reach infection sites more effectively. Biomimetic nanocarriers, cloaked in cell membranes from probiotics or host cells, show promise in targeted and immune-evasive delivery. Studying probiotics' immune system navigation can help design next-generation drug carriers that blend seamlessly with biological systems.
Challenges in Translating Nanomedicine to Clinics
Nanotechnology has the potential to treat infectious diseases, but its translation from lab to clinic remains a complex process. Scaling up for clinical use requires strict control over size, shape, charge, and surface chemistry, which can affect safety and efficacy. Reproducibility is crucial for large batches for global access. Toxicity and biocompatibility concerns remain, especially for inorganic or metallic nanoparticles. Comprehensive preclinical studies are needed to understand their fate in the body and their interaction with biological systems. Regulatory hurdles and lack of standardisation create regulatory uncertainty, with most regulatory agencies assessing nanomedicines on a case-by-case basis. Cost and accessibility are also challenges, as developing and manufacturing nanocarrier-based therapies can be expensive, potentially limiting their accessibility in low-resource settings, which are the regions most affected by infectious diseases.
To advance nanomedicine from the bench to bedside, a collaborative effort among researchers, industry, and regulators is essential. Addressing these challenges through innovation, standardisation, and affordability can pave the way for nanotechnology-driven infection control.
The Road Ahead: Integrating Biology, AI, and Nanotech
Nanotechnology is transforming infectious disease management by integrating biology, artificial intelligence (AI), and nanoscience. Next-generation nanocarriers are being designed to respond to internal triggers, releasing drugs only at infected sites, minimising collateral damage. AI-driven nanomedicine design is revolutionising the process by predicting optimal formulations, modelling interactions with biological systems, and screening nanoparticles for safety and efficacy. Biomimetic and microbiome-responsive strategies are being developed to evade immune clearance and enhance targeting. Researchers are also exploring microbiome-responsive carriers that activate in the presence of specific gut or skin flora, opening doors for personalized infection therapy. Theranostic nanocarriers, which combine therapy with diagnostics, allow clinicians to monitor infection progression and treatment response in real time, especially for hard-to-treat infections like drug-resistant TB or fungal pathogens in immunocompromised patients. This integration of disciplines marks a new era in nanomedicine, one that is more adaptive, precise, and biologically harmonious.
Conclusion: A Microscopic Revolution with Massive Impact
Infectious diseases remain one of the greatest challenges to human health, particularly with the rise of antimicrobial resistance and emerging pathogens. Nanotechnology offers not just an incremental improvement, but a transformational leap in how we approach treatment—enabling targeted, efficient, and intelligent drug delivery strategies.
From liposomes to metallic nanoparticles, and from biomimicry to AI-guided design, nanocarriers are redefining therapeutic precision. The ability to learn from nature, like how probiotics evade immune defenses, further inspires innovations that merge biology with engineering.
Though challenges remain in clinical translation, cost, and regulation, the groundwork is being laid for a future where nanotechnology becomes an integral tool in infectious disease management. As we continue to innovate, these tiny particles may become the cornerstone of a healthier, infection-resilient world.
References: -
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Dr. Vinod Kumar Rajana, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics, specializes in nanotechnology, bioassays, and infectious disease research. With expertise in nanoparticle synthesis, biotechnology, and drug delivery, his work integrates green chemistry with pharmaceutical innovation to develop sustainable, low-cost nanomaterials for topical antifungal and anticancer therapies, water purification, and biomedical applications.
