Formulation and Clinical Perspectives of Inhalation-Based Nanocarrier Delivery: A New Archetype in Lung Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Despite tremendous research in targeted delivery and specific molecular inhibitors (gene delivery), cytotoxic drug delivery through inhalation has been seen as a core part in the treatment of the lung cancer. Inhalation delivery provides a high dose of the drug directly to the lungs without affecting other body organs, increasing the therapeutic ratio. This article reviews the research performed over the last several decades regarding inhalation delivery of various cancer therapeutics for the treatment of lung cancer. Nevertheless, pulmonary administration of nanocarrier-based cancer therapeutics for lung cancer therapy is still in its infancy and faces greater than expected challenges. This article focuses on the current inhalable nanocarrier-based drugs for lung cancer treatment.

Keywords:

• dry powder inhalation
• formulation perspectives
• inhalation delivery
• lung cancer
• nanocarriers

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.