Nanomedicine is a field in which nanomaterials and nanotechnology are applied to improve or create medications. Combining knowledge in various disciplines including nanoscience, biological science, advanced materials and pharmacy, the current interests in nanomedicine mainly focus on exploiting nanomaterials for drug delivery in order to improve the efficacy or safety of conventional treatments (chemical drugs, biological drugs, combination therapies, etc.). In recent years, increasing effort has been directed towards a more ‘precise’ understanding in nanomedicine. This includes not only accurate characterization of existing nanomedicines regarding their intrinsic properties and their biological effects, but also precise design of novel nanomedicines that are able to address diseases in a smart, individualized and safe manner. Taking anti-cancer therapy, one of the hottest topics in nanomedicine research, as an example, we would like to review some recent trends in nanomedicine design, to better recognize the opportunities that may allow us to eventually realize the promise of nanomedicines.
纳米医学是一个应用纳米材料和纳米技术以改进或创新药物的领域。它融合了纳米科学、生物科学、先进材料学及药学等多学科知识，当前的研究重点主要集中于利用纳米材料进行药物递送，以提升传统治疗方法（化学药物、生物制剂、联合疗法等）的疗效或安全性。近年来，该领域日益注重更"精准化"的探索，这不仅包括对现有纳米药物内在特性及生物效应的精确表征，还涉及新型纳米药物的精准设计，使其能够以智能化、个体化且安全的方式应对疾病。以纳米医学研究的热点方向——抗癌治疗为例，本文将回顾当前纳米医学设计的一些新趋势，以更好地识别其中蕴含的机遇，从而最终实现纳米医学的临床潜力。
Precise design of nanomedicines: perspectives for cancer treatment
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家