International Journal of Nanomedicine

From Bench to Bedside: Can Nanoparticles Transform Nuclear Medicine?

The integration of nanotechnology into nuclear medicine represents one of the most transformative frontiers in modern healthcare. Nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties, such as high surface-to-volume ratios, customizable surface chemistry, and tunable pharmacokinetics, that make them ideal vehicles for radiopharmaceuticals. By conjugating specific radionuclides to engineered nanomaterials, researchers can design organic, inorganic, or hybrid nanostructures capable of carrying high payloads of diagnostic or therapeutic isotopes. This synergy enables precise molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy at the cellular level. Current research focuses on optimizing the biocompatibility, stability, and radiolabelling efficiency of these nano-systems. Understanding the complex interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems is essential for developing the next generation of radiopharmaceuticals, moving away from conventional non-specific agents toward smart, multi-functional nanoplatforms capable of navigating complex biological barriers.

This topic addresses the critical clinical need for personalized medicine, particularly in oncology. Traditional radiopharmaceuticals often suffer from rapid renal clearance or off-target toxicity, limiting their diagnostic sensitivity and therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticles overcome these limitations by exploiting the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect or through active targeting using specific ligands like antibodies and peptides. Furthermore, this approach drives the evolution of theranostics, combining diagnostic imaging (via PET or SPECT) with targeted therapeutic approach (via alpha or beta emitters) using the exact same nanostructure. Minimizing damage to healthy tissues while maximizing the radiation dose delivered to tumors drastically improves patient outcomes and survival rates. Advancing this field is crucial for translating innovative laboratory discoveries into safe, effective, and highly precise clinical protocols.

This Article Collection aims to gather cutting-edge research exploring the design, characterization, and biomedical evaluation of radiolabelled nanoparticles. The scope encompasses a wide variety of subtopics, including the synthesis of novel organic (liposomes, polymeric) and inorganic (gold, iron oxide, silica) nanocarriers, advanced radiolabelling strategies, and preclinical evaluation of targeted alpha and beta therapies. We also welcome submissions focused on multi-modal imaging agents, dosimetry of nanoradiopharmaceuticals, and strategies to overcome biological barriers or immune clearance. We invite authors to submit original research articles, review papers, mini-Reviews, and brief research reports that contribute to filling the gap between radiopharmaceutical chemistry, nanotechnology, and translational nuclear medicine.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Prof. Alberto Signore

Full Professor of Diagnostic Imaging, (MED/36 – MEDS-22/A), Head of the Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy. Director of the Specialization School of Nuclear Medicine of “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy. Graduated in Medicine in 1984, then specialist in Endocrinology (1987) and Nuclear Medicine (1991). PhD in 2007 at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Visiting Professor in Nuclear Medicine, University of Ghent, Belgium and in Mayo Clinic, Rochester (USA); Consultant of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of United Nation Organization (UNO); Past-President of the International Society of Radiolabelled Blood Elements (ISORBE); Secretary and Past-President of the International Research Group in Immunoscintigraphy and Therapy (IRIST); President of the international scientific association Nuclear Medicine Discovery (Nu.Me.D.). Promoter of 17 PhD students; author of over 400 scientific publications in national and international journals (H index = 58); editor of 8 books; author of more than 60 book chapters and he deposited 2 national and 3 international patents.

Dr. Michela Varani

Dr. Michela Varani is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellow at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain. She obtained her PhD in Translational Medicine and Oncology from Sapienza University of Rome, where she specialized in the development of targeted radiopharmaceuticals, molecular imaging probes, and nanotheranostic platforms for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Her research focuses on translational oncology, radiopharmaceutical development, molecular imaging, and nanotechnology, with particular interest in antibody-, peptide-, and nanoparticle-based approaches for precision medicine.