Polymeric biomaterials in translational nanomedicine: a review on drug delivery, gene therapy, and tissue engineering

Polymeric biomaterials have become central to translational nanomedicine, bridging molecular design with clinical applications in drug delivery, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Their tunable structure, biocompatibility, and functionalization enable precise control over pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and targeted drug release. Natural polymers like chitosan, alginate, and collagen provide inherent bioactivity, while synthetic polymers such as PLGA, PEG, and PCL offer enhanced chemical precision and controlled degradation. Advances in hybrid and stimuli-responsive systems allow site-specific, on-demand release triggered by pH, temperature, redox conditions, or enzymes. Progress in polymer chemistry and nanotechnology has led to multifunctional theranostic platforms that integrate diagnosis and therapy, supporting personalized medicine. Polymeric systems also act as promising non-viral gene delivery vectors and as scaffolds in regenerative medicine, mimicking extracellular matrices to promote tissue repair. However, clinical translation requires addressing challenges related to biocompatibility, immunogenicity, scalability, and regulatory standards. Emerging tools like AI-assisted design and 3D bioprinting are accelerating the development of efficient, customizable polymeric nanomedicines.