Local Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

Conventional methods of delivering anticancer drugs are typically not targeted and can lead to toxic side effects in normal tissues while maintaining effective drug concentrations in the tumor. Simultaneously, tumor barriers and rapid drug clearance pose challenges in maintaining effective drug concentrations in the tumor. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an oncology drug delivery method that offers precise targeting and minimal toxicity and side effects. Local drug delivery systems (LDDSs) are a class of fixed-domain tumor therapeutic systems with a broad range of applications. They exhibit robust drug-loading capabilities and can be implanted into tumor sites in a simple manner, such as through minimally invasive surgery. This enables them to release therapeutic agents in the tumor region in a sustained, controlled, and highly efficient manner. In addition, the characteristics of different types of LDDSs, such as deformability, adhesiveness, and responsiveness, enable them to provide a platform for synergistic tumor therapy, addressing various complex scenarios. In this review, we present commonly employed LDDSs and their therapeutic mechanisms, offering insights into potential directions for future development.