Light-responsive polymeric nanoparticles for retinal drug delivery: design cues, challenges and future perspectives

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-03, Vol.10 (5), p.e26616-e26616, Article e26616
• Main Authors: Guidi, Lorenzo, Cascone, Maria Grazia, Rosellini, Elisabetta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Light-triggered release; Ocular nanomedicine; Polymeric nanoparticles; Retinal diseases
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26616

A multitude of sight-threatening retinal diseases, affecting hundreds of millions around the globe, lack effective pharmacological treatments due to ocular barriers and common drug delivery limitations. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) are versatile drug carriers with sustained drug release profiles and tunable physicochemical properties which have been explored for ocular drug delivery to both anterior and posterior ocular tissues. PNPs can incorporate a wide range of drugs and overcome the challenges of conventional retinal drug delivery. Moreover, PNPs can be engineered to respond to specific stimuli such as ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared light, and allow precise spatiotemporal control of the drug release, enabling tailored treatment regimens and reducing the number of required administrations. The objective of this study is to emphasize the therapeutic potential of light-triggered drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles to treat retinal diseases through an exploration of ocular pathologies, challenges in drug delivery, current production methodologies and recent applications. Despite challenges, light-responsive PNPs hold the promise of substantially enhancing the treatment landscape for ocular diseases, aiming for an improved quality of life for patients. [Display omitted] •The ocular structure hinders effective drug delivery to the posterior eye segment.•Polymeric nanoparticles provide a customizable solution to overcome ocular barriers.•Light-responsive nanoparticles can enable precise drug control for tailored treatments.