Emerging Trends in Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, prompting a surge in research efforts focused on enhancing the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Traditional chemotherapeutic approaches, though effective in killing rapidly dividing cells, often result in systemic toxicity, non-specific distribution, and multidrug resistance. In recent years, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations by enabling targeted and controlled drug release at tumor sites. This paper reviews current and emerging trends in nanocarrier platforms, including liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, and inorganic nanoparticles such as gold and silica. Special attention is given to stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and surface modifications with ligands for enhanced selectivity. The literature suggests significant improvement in pharmacokinetics, therapeutic index, and patient compliance with nanocarrier systems. Moreover, this review highlights ongoing challenges, such as scalability, regulatory hurdles, and biological barriers. The paper concludes with future perspectives on integrating nanocarriers with personalized medicine and smart delivery systems to revolutionize cancer therapeutics.

DOI: 10.8612/36.4.2021.1