Cited by 16Bacteriophages and microbial interactionsNanoparticle-Based Drug DeliveryRNA Interference and Gene Delivery

Nanomedicine for phage therapy: Encapsulation strategies for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy

Open access
Dorta-Gorrín, Alexis, Salgueiriño, Verónica, García-Hevia, Lorena·2026·International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis, driving the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Phage therapy has re-emerged as a promising approach due to its specificity and ability to evolve against bacterial resistance mechanisms. However, therapeutic implementation is often challenged by factors such as phage stability, immune clearance, and site-specific delivery. Encapsulation technologies offer a potential solution, enhancing phage bioavailability, systemic circulation, and therapeutic action at the infection site. This review explores the latest advancements in phage encapsulation within the context of nanomedicine-based delivery systems, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, nanofibers, and inorganic nanoparticles. Each system is analyzed regarding its impact on phage stability, pharmacokinetics, and host-pathogen interactions, with a particular focus on applications in clinical and preclinical models of phage therapy. Liposomal and polymeric nanoparticle encapsulation enhance phage persistence in systemic circulation and protect them from degradation. Hydrogels and nanofibers improve localized phage delivery for wound healing applications, while inorganic nanoparticles and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers facilitate targeted delivery for intracellular and respiratory infections. By leveraging nanotechnology-driven encapsulation, phage therapy can overcome key delivery challenges, expanding its potential for treating multidrug-r…

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2025.107660

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157 of 179 references verified0 citation errors · 1 not checkable

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  • Engineering strategies to address limitations of phage delivery platforms, such as PEGylation, polymer encapsulation, immune-evasive capsid mutations, and biomaterial carriers, are actively being developed.

    “Engineering strategies to address these limitations, such as (Polyethylene glycol) PEGylation, polymer encapsulation, immune-evasive capsid mutations, and biomaterial carriers, are actively being developed [101–103]”

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Pradeep, 2022, Effect of PH and temperature variations on phage stability-a crucial prerequisite for phage therapy effect of ph & temperature variations on phage stability-a crucial prerequisite for successful phage therapy, Article Int J Pharmaceut Sci Res, 13, 5178
  2. Lin, 2024, Optimized dosing and delivery of bacteriophage therapy for wound infections, BioRxiv, 2024
  3. Harish Kumar K NVHB and AK. Metallic Nanoparticle: a review 2018;4:3765–75.
  4. S, 2018, Bacteriophage transcytosis provides a mechanism to cross epithelial cell layers, MBio, 9
  5. Usoo al. Encapsulation of bacteria and viruses in electrospun fibers 2007;174:260.

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Authors
Dorta-Gorrín, A., Salgueiriño, V., & García-Hevia, L.
Affiliations
Servicio Gallego de Salud (ES)
Venue
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2026-01
Volume
67
Issue
1
Pages
107660
ISSN
0924-8579 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4415880030
Cited by
16
References
167
Citations by year
2026: 16
FWCI
1.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCrea (University of Cantabria) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Carlos III Health Institute (PI23/00261)
  • Xunta de Galicia (ED431F 2025/21)
  • Mutua Madrileña Foundation
  • EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
  • Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
  • National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (RYC2022-035230-I)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
Keywords
phage therapy, phage encapsulation, nanomedicine, antibiotic resistance, phage stability, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, nanofibers, inorganic nanoparticles, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, wound healing, multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, pharmacokinetics, immune clearance, respiratory infections, intracellular infection
MeSH terms
Phage Therapy, Animals, Bacterial Infections, Bacteriophages, Humans, Liposomes, Nanomedicine, Nanoparticles

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