Advances in Enantiomer-Dependent Nanotherapeutics

The
nanoscale properties of nanomaterials, especially nanoparticles,
including size, shape, and surface charge, have been extensively studied
for their impact on nanomedicine. Given the inherent chiral nature
of biological systems and their high enantiomeric selectivity, there
is rising interest to manipulate the chirality of nanomaterials to
enhance their biomolecular interactions and improve nanotherapeutics.
Chiral nanostructures are currently more prevalently used in biosensing
and diagnostic applications owing to their distinctive physical and
optical properties, but they hold great promise for use in nanomedicine.
In this Review, we first discuss stereospecific interactions between
chiral nanomaterials and biomolecules before comparing the synthesis
and characterization methods of chiral nanoparticles and nanoassemblies.
Finally, we examine the applications of chiral nanotherapeutics in
cancer, immunomodulation, and neurodegenerative diseases and propose
plausible mechanisms in which chiral nanomaterials interact with cells
for biological manipulation. This Review on chirality is a timely
reminder of the arsenal of nanoscale modifications to boost research
in nanotherapeutics.