Nanomaterial-based therapeutics for enhanced antifungal therapy

Abstract

The application of nanotechnology in antifungal therapy is gaining increasing attention. Current antifungal drugs have significant limitations, such as severe side effects, low bioavailability, and the rapid development of resistance. Nanotechnology offers an innovative solution to these issues. This review discusses three key strategies of nanotechnology to enhance antifungal efficacy. Firstly, nanoparticles can enhance their interaction with fungal cells via ingenious surface tailoring of nanoparticles. Effective adhesion of nanoparticles to fungal cells can be achieved by electrostatic interaction or specific targeting to fungal cell wall and cell membrane. Secondly, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles are developed to realize smart release of drugs in specific microenvironment of pathological tissues, such as fungal biofilm microenvironment and inflammatory microenvironment. Thirdly, nanoparticles can be designed to cross different physiological barriers, effectively addressing challenges posed by skin, corneal, and blood-brain barriers. Additionally, some new nanoparticles-based strategies in treating fungal infections are discussed, including the development of fungal vaccines, modulation of macrophages activity, phage therapy, the application of high-throughput screening in drug discovery, and so on. Despite the challenges faced in applying nanotechnology to antifungal therapy, its significant potential and innovation open new possibilities for future clinical antifungal applications.