Polypeptides As Building Blocks For Image-Guided Nanotherapies

Synthetic polypeptide-based nanomedicines represent highly versatile, advanced therapeutic platforms, with multiple examples currently under clinical evaluation and polypeptidic drugs (Vivagel (R) and CopaxoneTM) achieving market approval. Advances in controlled polymerization techniques, material bioresponsiveness, analytics, and manufacturing in parallel with a deeper biological understanding of pathological sites and biological barriers have fostered the development of these nature-mimicking entities. Engineered polypeptides could solve challenges currently facing advanced drug delivery, diagnosis, and disease monitoring; however, their contribution to image-guided nanotherapies requires significant development. Herein, we provide critical insight into the current state, challenges, and opportunities of polypeptide-based imageguided nanotherapies, going from companion diagnostics up to nanotheranostic strategies.