纳米技术在疾病治疗、诊断、生物检测和环境保护等领域有着广泛的应用。交联聚合物纳米海绵（NSs）是一种纳米级药物载体系统，具有3D多孔结构和高包封功效。目前可以使用第四代的 NS，并且可以作为亲水性和疏水性药物的递送系统。由于能够实现受控和靶向药物输送，该输送系统比其他方法表现出优越性。 NSs的胶体结构有利于封装多种药物，如蛋白质和肽、酶、抗肿瘤药物、挥发油、疫苗、DNA等。NSs有效地克服了药物毒性和水溶性差的挑战。 NS 制剂已被探索用于各种应用，如气体封装、酶固定化、抗真菌治疗、毒物吸收剂、水净化等。本文对合成方法、不同的聚合物 NS、药物释放机制、影响 NS 发展的因素进行了全面的分析、在 NS 领域提交的申请和专利。在此，还特别关注了最近开发的 NS 制剂、其在癌症治疗中的潜力以及 NS 用于 SARS-CoV-2 管理的当前进展，重点关注重大挑战和未来方向。版权所有 © Bentham Science Publishers；如有任何疑问，请发送电子邮件至 epub@benthamscience.net。

Nanotechnology exhibits a wide range of applications in the domain of disease therapy, diagnosis, biological detection, and environmental safeguards. The cross-linked polymeric nanosponges (NSs) are a nanoscale drug carrier system with a 3D porous structure and high entrapment efficacy. NSs up to the fourth generation are currently accessible and can serve as a delivery system for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. The delivery system exhibits superiority over alternative methods due to its ability to achieve controlled and targeted drug delivery. The colloidal structure of NSs facilitates the encapsulation of a wide range of agents such as proteins and peptides, enzymes, antineoplastic drugs, volatile oil, vaccines, DNA, etc. NSs efficiently overcome the challenges associated with drug toxicity and poor aqueous solubility. NS formulations have been explored for various applications like gaseous encapsulation, enzyme immobilization, antifungal therapy, poison absorbent, water purification, etc. This review provides a comprehensive analysis regarding methods of synthesis, distinct polymeric NSs, mechanism of drug release, factors affecting NS development, applications, and patents filed in the field of NSs. Herein, the recently developed NS formulations, their potential in cancer therapy, and current progressions of NS for SARS-CoV-2 management are also deliberated with special attention, focusing on the significant challenges and future directions.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.