Nanoparticle approaches for hepatitis therapy and clinical translation

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) remain major global health challenges, contributing significantly to liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have improved patient outcomes, key limitations persist, including suboptimal hepatic targeting, emerging drug resistance, incomplete viral eradication, and systemic side effects. Area covered: Nanotechnology offers a promising avenue for enhancing and personalizing antiviral treatments. This review explores recent advances in nanoparticle (NP)-based strategies for HBV and HCV therapy, focusing on design principles, delivery platforms, and translational applications. Lipid-based, polymeric, metallic/inorganic, and biomimetic nanocarriers are examined for drug delivery, gene editing, and vaccine development. Targeted strategies—such as galactose-mediated hepatic uptake and pH-responsive release—demonstrate the potential to improve drug localization and reduce off-target toxicity. Preclinical studies, including siRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles, have shown significant antiviral effects in animal models. In addition, emerging AI-driven frameworks for nanoparticle design and prediction are highlighted as tools that may accelerate optimization and therapeutic personalization. Despite these advances, translation into clinical practice remains limited due to challenges such as immunogenicity, systemic instability, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory complexity. Expert opinion: To facilitate clinical translation, a clear developmental roadmap is needed that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, standardized safety evaluations, and patient-centered treatment strategies. Continued innovation—including integration of nanotechnology with artificial intelligence, gene-editing approaches, and immunomodulatory platforms—holds strong potential to transform HBV and HCV management and enable safer, more effective therapeutic options beyond current antiviral approaches.