The Therapeutic and Diagnostic Potential of Nanobodies

Since the discovery of heavy-chain-only antibodies, the research on medical applications of nanobodies has been growing at an exponential rate. To date, nanobodies are established as an attractive alternative to conventional monoclonal antibodies. Nanobodies are easily produced in several organisms (bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells) at an affordable cost, while their unique molecular and structural properties result in unique features, including high affinity and specificity as well as good solubility and biodistribution profiles (high tissue penetration). Moreover, nanobodies have been engineered and tailored into diverse formats to broaden their in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic potential. In 2019, the first nanobody-based drug (caplacizumab) was approved for treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Nowadays, the medical potential of nanobodies is being explored in multiple fields, including inflammatory diseases, (immuno)oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, imaging and targeted therapy.

In this Special Issue, entitled “The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential of Nanobodies”, several of these aspects of nanobodies will be highlighted. We would like to invite scientists to submit manuscripts focusing on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of nanobodies in the broad field of medicine. Contributions to this Special Issue are invited in the format of reviews, research articles, communications, and concept papers.