Nanorobotic platforms for targeted drug delivery: Materials engineering, functional dynamics, and biomedical translation

Abstract

Background: Nanorobotic systems represent an emerging and disruptive paradigm in nanomedicine for precision drug delivery, controlled therapeutic release, and minimally invasive biomedical interventions. Recent advances in materials engineering, bioinspired design, and external actuation techniques have greatly improved the functionality, navigation, and targeting capabilities of nanorobots for biomedical applications in recent years. Objectives: This review aims to give a comprehensive overview of the major classes of nanorobotic systems, their propulsion mechanisms, biomedical applications, safety considerations, and translational potential in drug delivery and therapeutic interventions. Methods: A critical review of recent literature was carried out to evaluate various nanorobotic platforms including DNA-based, magnetic, catalytic, biohybrid, ultrasound-driven, light-responsive and stimuli-responsive nanorobots. Their composition, propulsion mechanism, functional dynamics and therapeutic performance were studied systematically. Results: Nanorobotic systems have shown great potential for targeted drug delivery, site-specific therapeutic release, enhanced tissue penetration, and improved treatment precision. The comparative analysis has revealed the differences between the nanorobotic platforms in terms of controllability, biocompatibility, targeting efficiency and translational feasibility. However, a number of challenges remain including biodistribution, immune recognition, reticuloendothelial system clearance, long-term toxicity, biodegradability, large-scale manufacturing and regulatory approval. Conclusions: Nanorobotic systems have shown great potential for targeted drug delivery, site-specific therapeutic release, enhanced tissue penetration, and improved treatment precision. The comparative analysis has revealed the differences between the nanorobotic platforms in terms of controllability, biocompatibility, targeting efficiency and translational feasibility. However, a number of challenges remain including biodistribution, immune recognition, reticuloendothelial system clearance, long-term toxicity, biodegradability, large-scale manufacturing and regulatory approval.