A detailed insight of the tumor targeting using nanocarrier drug delivery system

Abstract

Human struggle against the deadly disease conditions is continued since ages. The contribution of science and technology in fighting against these diseases cannot be ignored exclusively due to the invention of novel procedure and products, extending their size ranges from micro to nano. Recently nanotechnology has been gaining more consideration for its ability to diagnose and treat different cancers. Different nanoparticles have been used to evade the issues related with conservative anticancer delivery systems, including their nonspecificity, adverse effects and burst release. These nanocarriers including, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), liposomes, nano lipid carriers (NLCs), nano micelles, nanocomposites, polymeric and magnetic nanocarriers, have brought revolutions in antitumor drug delivery. Nanocarriers improved the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs with better accumulation at the specific site with sustained release, improved bioavailability and apoptosis of the cancer cells while bypassing the normal cells. In this review, the cancer targeting techniques and surface modification on nanoparticles are discussed briefly with possible challenges and opportunities. It can be concluded that understanding the role of nanomedicine in tumor treatment is significant, and therefore, the modern progressions in this arena is essential to be considered for a prosperous today and an affluent future of tumor patients.

Keywords:

• Tumor
• nanotechnology
• targeting
• drug delivery
• pharmaceutics

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to the administration of Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan and Hanyang University South Korea for facilitation.

Author contributions

Sibgha Batool and Saba Sohail: Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – original draft

Ali H. Alamri and Ahmad S Alqahtani: Methodology, Investigation, Writing – review & editing.

Mohammad A. Alshahrani, Mohammed A Alshehri: Project administration, Formal analysis, Supervision.

Fakhar Ud Din and Han Gon Choi: Funding, Project administration, Supervision.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval statement

NA.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Higher Education Commission of Islamabad, Pakistan through its project No; HEC/NRPU/R&D/No: 14604/2021. The authors are grateful to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University for funding this study through the Research Group Project, under grant number RGP. 1/326/43.