Nanomedicine for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: current status and prospective therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Nanotechnology has rapidly become a viable instrument for investigating innovative methods, ranging from properly identifying many disorders to treating intricate medical situations. Due to their adjustable surface qualities and similar size dimensions, custom-designed nanoparticles can now interact with cellular targets and diverse diseases more effectively. The primary objective of medicine distribution is to guarantee that pharmaceuticals are supplied only to the necessary areas, minimizing side effects and unintended consequences. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a persistent inflammatory condition that results in the gradual deterioration of bone as well as cartilage, resulting in significant disability, reduced life, and elevated mortality rates. Advanced treatment for RA notably decreased the disease’s progression and enhanced the life quality for numerous individuals. Conversely, individuals can occasionally achieve remission of their illnesses and maintain them without the continuous need for immunosuppressants. Many patients either develop tolerance to or exhibit non-responsiveness to existing treatments. Consequently, novel pharmaceutical strategies for the treatment of RA remain necessary. In contrast to conventional pharmaceuticals, nanocarriers are engineered to deliver therapy directly to the joint inflammation site, thus circumventing systemic and adverse side effects. Drugs previously deemed excessively hazardous for systemic administration are presently undergoing re-evaluation by scholars. This article summarizes contemporary nanotechnology methods for managing RA and discusses potential advancements in nanotherapeutic approaches.

1. Introduction

1.1 Rheumatoid arthritis overview

RA is a systemic and autoimmune disorder characterized by polyarticular inflammation, symmetry, pain, and swelling in affected individuals [1]. It may result in considerable joint deterioration, impairment, and employment termination without suitable treatment. RA presents a significant challenge to treatment due to its varied etiology and intricate pathophysiology [2]. Timely diagnosis and intervention of RA are essential, with pharmacological treatment currently prevailing in clinical practice [3]. The management of RA has significantly progressed, leading to increased disease remission rates and improved long-term results. Significant hurdles persist, especially in pursuing precision medicine and the efficient, cost-effective management of diseases through diverse therapy [4]. Medications for RA are classified into four classes: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, biological agents, disease-modified antirheumatic drugs, and glucocorticoids. Moreover, some plants, with their phytochemicals, have substantially aided in the proper treatment of RA, hence enhancing its management [5]. Using just one medication may not be enough to manage the complex and ongoing changes caused by rheumatoid arthritis. This approach usually targets only one symptom, which might result in less effective outcomes. Methotrexate (MTX) is the main drug for treating RA. It can help slow down the disease, but it doesn’t do much to reduce inflammation or pain [6]. Similarly, glucocorticoids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) mitigate discomfort and inflammation but do not inhibit disease progression [7]. Consequently, contemporary therapy strategies for RA are becoming increasingly comprehensive and integrative. A method to treat RA using multiple medicines has been suggested and thoroughly researched in labs and clinics. This approach shows that the medicines do not have the same harmful effects and work better together [8,9,10]. However, using combination therapy in traditional treatments has several downsides, such as not being very effective for specific targets, having short-lasting effects, and showing different ways that the drugs are processed in the body [11]. These problems make combination treatment less effective and also less safe; hence, more sophisticated and novel approaches are being investigated to augment the benefits of combination therapy.

The present and future of nanomedicine as it pertains to the treatment of RA are examined in this review. Traditional treatment options have come a long way, but RA is still an inflammatory chronic disease with serious problems with medication effectiveness, systemic toxicity, and patient adherence. Targeted drug delivery, increased bioavailability, and reduced side effects are all areas where nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems show promise. Our goal in writing this piece is to Examine the mechanisms of RA and the need of finding new ways to treat the disease. Think about lipid-based, polymeric, metallic, dendrimer, and other nanocarriers and how they work in RA treatment. Find out how drug delivery systems based on nanomedicine work, what they can treat, and how they compare to more traditional methods. RA imaging and diagnosis using nanotechnology for early disease identification should be highlighted. Assess the current state of clinical studies, obstacles, and potential future directions of nanomedicine’s application in healthcare.

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Gupta, N., Shaik, A.R., Chettupalli, A.K. et al. Nanomedicine for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: current status and prospective therapeutic approaches. Discov Med 2, 111 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44337-025-00316-7

Nanomedicine for the management of rheumatoid arthritis: current status and prospective therapeutic approaches

Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1 Rheumatoid arthritis overview

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