A Review on Recent Advances in Nanoparticle Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

Drug delivery systems that are based on nanoparticles have become a potential instrument in studying cancer treatment with advantages in terms of drug dissolution, stability, and targeting of the site, and decreased systemic toxicity. Liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, metallic and inorganic particles, and biologically adjusted systems such as exosomes and cell-membrane-covered nanoparticles are some of the nanocarriers implemented in order to increase the effectiveness of the therapeutic use. Liposomes are biodegradable nanoparticles between hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents which are encapsulated within phospholipid bilayers, but polymeric nanoparticles like poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) provide biodegradability and sustained release of drug. Dendrimers offer ultimate control of the molecular architectural and drug carrying capacity, and the inorganic nanocarriers such as silica, gold, and iron oxide nanoparticles allow the use of the nanocarrier in a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic delivery. These platforms make use of passive targeting effect by the increased permeability and retention effect, and active targeting by ligand conjugation. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment that is hypoxic, acidic, and enzyme-active sends signals to intelligent nanocarriers to achieve site-directed release. Nanomedicines that are clinically approved such as liposomal doxorubicin and albumin-bound paclitaxel have been found to be safer and more effective than the conventional chemotherapeutics. Although these have been made, there are still restrictions on large big scale reproducibility, long-term biosafety, and regulation translation. This review is dedicated to recent advances in nanoparticle design, target, and therapeutic activity, of 202025, covering both difficulties and the new opportunities of next-generation nanocarrier-based cancer therapy development.