Targeted delivery of therapeutics
through the use of nanoparticles
(NPs) has emerged as a promising method that increases their efficacy
and reduces their side effects. NPs can be tailored to localize to
selective tissues through conjugation to ligands that bind cell-specific
receptors. Although the vast majority of nanodelivery platforms have
focused on cancer therapy, efforts have begun to introduce nanotherapeutics
to the fields of immunology as well as transplantation. In this review,
we provide an overview from a clinician’s perspective of current
nanotherapeutic strategies to treat solid organ transplants with NPs
during the time interval between organ harvest from the donor and
placement into the recipient, an innovative technology that can provide
major benefits to transplant patients. The use of ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), which is associated with preserving
the function of the organ following transplantation, also provides
an ideal opportunity for a localized, sustained, and controlled delivery
of nanotherapeutics to the organ during this critical time period.
Here, we summarize previous endeavors to improve transplantation outcomes
by treating the organ with NPs prior to placement in the recipient.
Investigations in this burgeoning field of research are promising,
but more extensive studies are needed to overcome the physiological
challenges to achieving effective nanotherapeutic delivery to transplanted
organs discussed in this review.