Nanotechnology for the treatment of atherosclerosis: Strategies, practical applications and future perspectives

作者：Ying Zhang, Zheng Chai, Ming Chen, Shufen Li, Weihua Zhuang, Walter Hu, Mao Chen · 发表于：Precision medicine and engineering. · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.preme.2025.100046 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases、Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery、Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications

Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide and is driven by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism disorders, and plaque instability. Unfortunately, there are still great challenges in the treatment of AS because of the complex pathological microenvironment. Nanotechnology offers a promising strategy to address these issues through targeted drug delivery and advanced molecular imaging. This review examines current approaches employing nanotechnology for treating AS, highlighting how innovative nanomaterials modulate inflammation, mitigate oxidative injury, normalize lipid handling, and stabilize vulnerable plaques. Recent advances in inorganic nanomaterials, such as gold and iron oxide nanoparticles, and organic nanocarriers, including liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles, have improved targeted drug delivery to atherosclerotic plaques and multimodal imaging capabilities. Furthermore, biomimetic nano-platforms such as nanoparticles coated with natural cell membranes enhance accumulation at lesion sites and improve biocompatibility, enabling more precise therapeutic interventions. These nanotechnologies collectively enable precision therapy against AS, and their multifaceted benefits are demonstrated in improved inflammatory control, cholesterol regulation, and plaque stabilization in preclinical studies. Finally, the potential of nanotechnology to transform future AS management is highlighted, along with...