molecules Review Therapeutic Nanoparticles and Their Targeted Delivery Applications Abuzer Alp Yetisgin 1 , Sibel Cetinel 2 , Merve Zuvin 3, Ali Kosar 3,4 and Ozlem Kutlu 2,4,* 1 Materials Science and Nano-Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
[email protected] 2 Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
[email protected] 3 Mechatronics Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
[email protected] (M.Z.);
[email protected] (A.K.) 4 Center of Excellence for Functional Surfaces and Interfaces for Nano Diagnostics (EFSUN), Sabanci University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +90-2164839000-2413; Fax: +90-2164839885 Academic Editor: Zacharias Suntres Received: 25 March 2020; Accepted: 26 April 2020; Published: 8 May 2020 Abstract: Nanotechnology offers many advantages in various fields of science. In this regard, nanoparticles are the essential building blocks of nanotechnology. Recent advances in nanotechnology have proven that nanoparticles acquire a great potential in medical applications. Formation of stable interactions with ligands, variability in size and shape, high carrier capacity, and convenience of binding of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances make nanoparticles favorable platforms for the target-specific and controlled delivery of micro- and macromolecules in disease therapy. Nanoparticles combined with the therapeutic agents overcome problems associated with conventional therapy; however, some issues like side effects and toxicity are still debated and should be well concerned before their utilization in biological systems. It is therefore important to understand the specific properties of therapeutic nanoparticles and their delivery strategies.