Challenges in Drug Delivery Systems: Overcoming Barriers in Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Cancer therapy remains a significant challenge due to the complexities of the disease, including tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and difficulties in drug delivery. Traditional therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, often cause severe side effects due to their lack of selectivity. Drug delivery systems (DDS) aim to overcome these limitations by targeting therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells, enhancing efficacy while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. However, the development of effective DDS faces several challenges, including poor drug bioavailability, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the tumor microenvironment, and limited targeting specificity. Recent advances, such as nanoparticle-based delivery systems, stimuli-responsive carriers, biomarker-based targeting, and exosome-based drug delivery, offer promising solutions to address these barriers. This review explores the key challenges in drug delivery for cancer therapy and highlights emerging strategies designed to improve treatment outcomes and minimize side effects. With continued innovation, DDS hold the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, offering more effective and personalized therapeutic options for patients.