Chitosan-based nanoparticles: promising biomedical applications in specific drug delivery and targeting

Chitosan (CS)-based nanoparticles (NPs) have found vast applications in the field of biomedical sciences. Several favorable biological and physicochemical properties of CS NPs, such as small size, biodegradability, biocompatibility, mucoadhesion, presence of active functional groups in the structure, and absorption enhancement features, make it an attractive platform for use in major biomedical applications. These NPs are involved in the targeted delivery of therapeutic moieties such as antitumor agents, proteins, genes, and vaccines. Moreover, CS-based NPs are increasingly being engineered for theranostic applications, involving simultaneous delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents in a single carrier system. This chapter reviews the latest applications of CS NPs, single or in combination with other polymers, in the specific delivery of payload via different targeting approaches. Moreover, the mechanisms of specific targeting and key factors involved are also illuminated.