# Emerging Nanomedicine Strategies for Chronic Disease Management Based on Chitosan

**Authors:** Yaride Pérez-Pacheco, Deepak Parajuli, Ricard García-Valls

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27031387 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-01-30

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how chitosan-based nanomedicine can improve chronic disease treatment by offering safer and more effective drug delivery.

## Contribution

The paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in chitosan-based nanocarriers for chronic disease management.

## Key findings

- Chitosan nanocarriers improve drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability.
- They enable controlled release and targeted delivery, reducing systemic toxicity.
- Functionalization and immunomodulatory roles enhance therapeutic potential.

## Abstract

Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, chronic respiratory diseases, autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, persistent infectious diseases, diabetes, and ocular inflammation remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Their complex pathophysiologies and the limitations of conventional therapies underscore the urgent need for advanced drug delivery platforms that enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects and systemic toxicity leading to adverse reactions. Nanomedicine has emerged as a transformative approach, with chitosan-based nanocarriers offering advantages due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesive properties, and ability to be physic-chemically modified. These nanocarriers improve solubility, stability, bioavailability, and the therapeutic index of drugs, while enabling controlled release, targeted delivery, and immune modulation. This review highlights recent advances in chitosan-based nanomedicine for the management of chronic disease. We discuss methods of synthesis such as ionic gelation and electrospray, functionalization approaches, and immunomodulatory roles that expand therapeutic potential. The evidence emphasizes that chitosan nanocarriers are a versatile, safe, and effective platform which can be used to improve clinical results, reduce adverse effects, and advance the science of personalized medicine.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992), chronic kidney disease (MONDO:0005300), diabetes (MONDO:0005015)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** cardiovascular disorders (MESH:D002318), respiratory diseases (MESH:D012140), Chronic Disease (MESH:D002908), diabetes (MESH:D003920), ocular inflammation (MESH:D007249), chronic kidney disease (MESH:D051436), neurodegenerative conditions (MESH:D019636), autoimmune disorders (MESH:D001327), toxicity (MESH:D064420), infectious diseases (MESH:D003141), cancer (MESH:D009369)
- **Chemicals:** Chitosan (MESH:D048271)

## Full text

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## Figures

13 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12898678/full.md

## References

155 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12898678/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12898678