FIGHTING FIBROSIS: NANOTECHNOLOGICAL AND GENETIC APPROACHES TO SILICOSIS TREATMENT

Abstract

Silicosis is an occupational disease characterized by chronic and irreversible fibrosis of the lungs caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. Inflammation of the respiratory tract, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, and tissue remodeling play important roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent studies have shown that genetic factors, particularly the HLA-DRB1*06 allele, increase susceptibility to silicosis and aggravate its clinical course. Although traditional treatment methods cannot completely halt disease progression, new nanomedicine approaches can directly target lung tissue, effectively inhibiting inflammatory and fibrotic processes. This article analyzes nanomedical technologies and traditional therapeutic approaches in the treatment of silicosis, as well as personalized treatment strategies based on immunogenetic profiles. The mechanisms of targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles, their anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, and the role of the HLA-DRB1*06 allele in disease pathogenesis and treatment response are discussed. The results of the study open new opportunities for effective management of fibrotic processes and treatment of silicosis, demonstrating that the integration of nanomedicine and genetic approaches is a promising way to control the disease at an individual level.