Next-generation viral nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutics: Fundamentals, methods, biomedical applications, and challenges

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) are virus-based nanocarriers that have been studied extensively and intensively for biomedical applications. However, their clinical translation is relatively low compared to the predominating lipid-based nanoparticles. Therefore, this article describes the fundamentals, challenges, and solutions of the VNP-based platform, which will leverage the development of next-generation VNPs.

Areas covered

Different types of VNPs and their biomedical applications are reviewed comprehensively. Strategies and approaches for cargo loading and targeted delivery of VNPs are examined thoroughly. The latest developments in controlled release of cargoes from VNPs and their mechanisms are highlighted too. The challenges faced by VNPs in biomedical applications are identified, and solutions are provided to overcome them.

Expert opinion

In the development of next-generation VNPs for gene therapy, bioimaging and therapeutic deliveries, focus must be given to reduce their immunogenicity, and increase their stability in the circulatory system. Modular virus-like particles (VLPs) which are produced separately from their cargoes or ligands before all the components are coupled can speed up clinical trials and commercialization. In addition, removal of contaminants from VNPs, cargo delivery across the blood brain barrier (BBB), and targeting of VNPs to organelles intracellularly are challenges that will preoccupy researchers in this decade.

KEYWORDS:

• Viral nanoparticles
• nanocarriers
• targeted delivery
• controlled release
• biomedical application

Article highlights

• Virus nanoparticles (VNPs) have been exploited as vehicles for gene therapy, immunotherapy, bioimaging, and drug delivery.

• Currently, less than one-tenth of the commercialized nanomedicines are related to VNPs, of which none are for bioimaging and drug delivery applications.

• The obstacles faced by VNPs in biomedical applications, cargo loading, targeted delivery, and cargo release are described.

• Solutions are provided to resolve the issues pertaining to VNPs including immunogenicity, stability, contamination, and particle formation.

• Future directions of VNPs including modular virus-like particles, cargo delivery across the blood brain barrier, and targeting of VNPs to organelles intracellularly are discussed intensively.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Universiti Putra Malaysia under Grant No. UPM/800-3/3/1/GPB/2019/9682500