Kidney diseases have become a global public health problem. The application of kidney-targeted drug-delivery systems in the management of kidney diseases has profound transformative potential. Kidney-targeted drug delivery can reduce the undesired side effects of often potent drugs and enhance drug efficacy in alleviating the kidney disease. Here, we review the literature on the potential strategies for targeting drugs to the kidneys. Specifically, we provide a broad overview of the targeting vectors and targeting pathways for renal tubules and glomeruli, as well as how the unique structural features of the glomerulus and the receptor-mediated internalization pathways of the tubules allows for drug targeting. Finally, we summarized the literature examples of drug delivery to the kidneys and elaborated strategies suitable for renal targeting to provide new therapeutic approaches for kidney diseases.

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