Nanotechnology Approaches for Cancer Therapy: Key Tools and Drug-Delivery Mechanisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/e81hbt84Keywords:
Nanotechnology; cancer therapy; nanocarriers; tumor targeting.Abstract
Amidst the global health crisis of cancer, the introduction of nanotechnology has begun to revolutionise cancer therapeutic approaches. By addressing inherent limitations of conventional treatments such as non-specificity, drug toxicity, resistance and inadequate tumour penetration. This review focuses on the current major nanoparticle-based platforms (1-100 nanometres) and their clinical potential and current advancements. The key nanocarriers featured in this review include liposomes and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for co-encapsulation and nucleic acid delivery, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) enabling stimuli-responsive release, polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) with emphasis on biocompatibility and hybrid nanoparticles for synergistic therapies (such as photothermal therapy). Mechanisms of these nanotechnologies are also outlined via denoting various delivery strategies, including passive targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, active targeting through ligand mediation, stimuli-responsive release and ratio-optimised co-delivery. Clinically approved formulations are explored whilst preclinical breakthroughs (Triplet LNPs in immunotherapy and bacteria-targeted MSNs) validate improved efficacy, reduced systemic toxicity and further clinical potentials. At the same time, critical limitations and future perspectives are also assessed in order to provide a general systematic outlook of this newly emerging option in the field of cancer therapy.
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