Nanotechnology for diagnosis and therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Recent advances and future perspectives

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a highly progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by alveolar epithelial cell damage, extracellular matrix deposition, and irreversible lung parenchymal scarring, ultimately leading to fatal respiratory failure. Early diagnosis and effective intervention of IPF are crucial for improving its prognosis and reducing mortality. Current diagnostic methods for early-stage IPF rely on high-resolution CT, histopathological examination, and multidisciplinary discussions. However, these approaches have significant limitations, including poor accuracy, invasiveness, and being time-consuming, which often delays therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, existing pharmacotherapy offer only limited efficacy in slowing disease progression due to the low bioavailability and limited delivery efficiency. To address these challenges in diagnostics and therapeutics, nanotechnology-mediated solutions have emerged as promising approaches. Contemporary advancement focuses on three domains: (1) development of functionalized nano-contrast agents, nanoprobe- and nanoparticle-based biosensor platforms for in vivo and in vitro precision diagnostics, (2) design of nanocarriers for inhalable drug delivery to enhance therapeutic efficacy, and (3) integrated nanoplatforms enabling simultaneous therapeutic delivery and real-time monitoring for targeted intervention. Overall, this review summarized recent advancements in nanotheranostic applications for the diagnosis and therapy of IPF. Moving forward, future research prioritize overcoming translational barriers to facilitate clinical implementation.