Nanodelivery systems-empowered therapies of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal interstitial lung disease of undefined etiology. In recent years, its global incidence has shown an upward trend, with a median survival of approximately 3–5 years after diagnosis. Currently, clinical treatment outcomes for this disease remain limited. Approved therapeutic agents are nintedanib, pirfenidone, and nerandomilast, all of which are predominantly administered orally. The oral route renders drugs susceptible to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to reduced drug bioavailability and limited therapeutic efficacy. In this work, we believe that nanodelivery systems (NDSs) represent a promising approach to address the limitations of traditional therapies. Most importantly, we emphasized that inhalation NDSs should be prioritized to enhance the accumulation efficiency of targeted drugs at pulmonary lesion sites. Collectively, this study aims to provide insights into the developmental prospects of NDSs for IPF, paving the way for more efficient and personalized therapeutic approaches to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.