COVID-19 Vaccine Development Studies and Nanotechnology Approaches

Despite the development of new antigens and adjuvants in conventional vaccine studies, different approaches are required in vaccine formulations due to the poor immunogenicity, in vivo intrinsic instability, toxicity, and the need for multiple administrations of conventional vaccines. To overcome these problems, nanotechnology approaches have recently been incorporated into vaccine formulations. As the development of vaccines is directed towards "minimal" compositions with low immunogenicity, there is an increasing need for new formulations that enhance the efficacy of antigens and adjuvants. There is an urgent need to regulate existing advanced treatment options for the global health threat posed by COVID-19, as well as to accelerate the development of new vaccines and drugs. Nano-sized carrier systems developed for the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, especially cancer, continue to maintain their importance in the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of nanoparticles in medicine started about 30 years ago, but gained momentum with the pandemic and reached many people in a short time with vaccine formulation. The rapid development, approval and delivery of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is one of the most important achievements in the history of medicine, and nanomedicine is part of that history. Within the scope of the review, up-to-date information was given about the use of nanotechnology and nanoparticles in COVID-19 vaccine development studies.