Main Article Content
Abstract
The evolution of drug delivery systems has witnessed a paradigm shift from conventional dosage forms toward nanocarrier-based platforms that enable precise, controlled, and site-specific release of therapeutic agents. Among these, hybrid nanocarriers engineered constructs that integrate the complementary features of polymers, lipids, and inorganic materials represent an emerging frontier in nanomedicine. These systems overcome the limitations of single-component nanocarriers by leveraging synergistic properties such as structural stability, biocompatibility, controlled release kinetics, and stimuli-responsive behavior. Hybrid nanocarriers offer the capacity to encapsulate diverse classes of drugs, including small molecules, peptides, nucleic acids, and biologics, thereby expanding the scope of precision medicine. The incorporation of polymers enhances mechanical strength and tunable drug release; lipids contribute biocompatibility, membrane fusion capacity, and stealth properties; while inorganic nanomaterials provide imaging capabilities, magnetic responsiveness, and photothermal or photodynamic functionalities. Collectively, these platforms enable multifunctional drug delivery strategies suited for oncology, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and regenerative medicine. This review systematically analyzes the structural design, physicochemical attributes, fabrication strategies, and therapeutic applications of polymer–lipid–inorganic hybrid nanocarriers. Special emphasis is placed on their role in overcoming multidrug resistance, enhancing intracellular drug trafficking, achieving spatiotemporal control of release, and enabling theranostic approaches. Current translational hurdles, including large-scale reproducibility, toxicity concerns, and regulatory frameworks, are also critically discussed. The future perspective highlights the potential of artificial intelligence-guided formulation design, patient-specific customization, and integration with smart biomedical devices to drive the clinical translation of these hybrid systems.