Nanomedicine and Targeted Drug Delivery: Focus on Nanoparticle-Based Approaches for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Nanomedicine has emerged as a transformative approach in cancer therapy, utilizing nanoscale materials to enhance drug delivery, improve targeting, and reduce side effects. This review explores the role of nanoparticle-based approaches in targeted drug delivery, focusing on their mechanisms, advantages, and clinical applications. Nanoparticles, including liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic nanoparticles, offer unique physical and chemical properties that allow for enhanced drug loading, controlled release, and selective targeting of tumor tissues through both passive and active mechanisms. Active targeting leverages specific ligands for receptor-mediated uptake, while passive targeting exploits the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, ensuring higher accumulation in tumors. The review further discusses the mechanisms of cellular uptake, highlighting the importance of endocytosis in nanoparticle-mediated therapy. Preclinical and clinical studies underscore the effectiveness of these systems in improving therapeutic outcomes for various cancers, with several nanoparticle-based drugs already approved for clinical use. However, challenges such as manufacturing complexity and variability in biodistribution persist. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of nanoparticle-based cancer therapy, emphasizing the potential of nanomedicine to revolutionize cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.