Abstract<br />Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Conventional treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, are associated with significant limitations such as poor specificity, systemic toxicity, and tumor recurrence. Nanodrug delivery systems have emerged as transformative platforms in cancer therapy<br /><br />Introduction<br />Nanodrug delivery systems, employing nanoparticles as carriers, enhance the precision of drug delivery by leveraging tumor-specific features such as enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and active targeting mechanisms. These systems enable controlled drug release, reduced toxicity, and improved pharmacokinetics.<br />Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Conventional treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, are associated with significant limitations such as poor specificity, systemic toxicity, and tumor recurrence. Nanodrug delivery systems have emerged as transformative platforms in cancer therapy<br /><br /><br /><br />Types of Nanoparticles in Cancer Drug Delivery<br />1. Liposomal Nano-carriers: Liposomes encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, enhancing their bioavailability. Examples include Doxil (liposomal doxorubicin), approved for treating ovarian cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma.<br />2. Polymeric Nanoparticles: These biocompatible carriers provide sustained drug release. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles are widely used for their tunable properties.<br />3. Metallic Nanoparticles: Gold nanoparticles and iron oxide nanoparticles are employed for imaging-guided therapy and photo-thermal ablation.<br />4. Dendrimers: These highly branched polymers provide controlled drug delivery and targeting.<br />5. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials: Carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide are investigated for drug delivery and hyperthermia applications.<br />Mechanisms of Nano-drug Delivery Systems<br />Nano-drug delivery systems exploit various approaches to achieve efficient drug targeting:<br />1. Passive Targeting: Utilizing the EPR effect, nanoparticles accumulate preferentially in tumor tissues due to leaky vasculature and impaired lymphatic drainage.<br />2. Active Targeting: Nanoparticles are functionalized with ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides, aptamers) that bind to specific tumor markers, enhancing selectivity.<br />3. Stimuli-Responsive Delivery: Nano-carriers release drugs in response to specific stimuli in the tumor microenvironment, such as pH, enzymes, or temperature<br /><br /><br /><br />Clinical Applications<br />Several nano-drug systems have shown promise in preclinical and clinical settings:<br />• Targeted Chemotherapy: Nano-carriers reduce systemic toxicity and enhance drug concentrations in tumors.<br />• Immunotherapy: Nanoparticles are used to deliver immune checkpoint inhibitors and stimulate anti-tumor immunity.<br />• Combination Therapy: Multifunctional nanoparticles allow the co-delivery of chemotherapeutics and gene therapies to overcome resistance mechanisms.<br />Photo-thermal and Photodynamic Therapy: Gold and silica nanoparticles are employed in combination with laser therapy to eradicate tumor cells selectively . <br /><br />Challenges and Future Perspectives<br />Despite significant advancements, challenges such as complex manufacturing processes, scalability, and regulatory hurdles remain. Further research is needed to address issues of off-target accumulation, immune system activation, and cost-effectiveness. Advances in personalized medicine and bioinformatics will likely drive the design of nano-drug systems tailored to individual patient profiles.<br />Conclusion<br />Nano-drug delivery systems are poised to redefine cancer therapy by overcoming the limitations of traditional treatment modalities. The integration of nanotechnology with precision oncology holds immense potential for achieving improved survival outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients. Continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration are critical for translating these promising technologies into routine clinical use.<br /><br />