Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Management: Advancements, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

Background: Cancer malignancy management remained a critical challenge despite therapeutic advancements attributed to systemic toxicity, non-specificity &drug targeting issues, reduced drug bioavailability and drug resistance problems associated with available chemotherapeutic approaches. Current limitations underline prime requirement for development of highly efficacious patient oriented drug delivery systems.

Objective: Current review is focused to discuss cancer-specific targeted drug delivery systems (TDDS), its  types and formulation  modifications brought about to shape cancer therapeutics with ultimate benefited therapeutic outcomes and precise controlled-release with minimal possible side effects.

Methods:

Current review discussed the development, possible mode/mechanism of action, and effectiveness of various TDDS, including nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, antibody-drug conjugates, ligand-based biomimetic and, stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems thereby improving targeted drug release phenomenon and ultimate benefited clinical outcomes however certain limitations including  tumor heterogeneity, immune system clearance, scalability and manufacturing cost, together with  limited penetration to solid tumors and unpredictable Bio distribution ultimately acquire innovative  drug delivery platforms for global. Current review is also focused on recent advancements in TDDS over the past decade together with evaluation of its limitations and ascertaining potential future directions for renovating cancer management.

Results: Management of cancer malignancies has been remarkably reformed via TDDS, allowing the potential delivery of anticancer medicaments to the targeted site and preventing systemic side effects. Liposome’s, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, Exosomes, stimuli-responsive systems and  antibody-drug conjugates  presenting significant advancements together with promising clinical outcomes. Currently precision nano-medicine, CRISPR-based carriers, AI integration, and microenvironment-responsive systems are under consideration for efficacious management of cancer malignancies.

Conclusion: TDDS provide a breakthrough approach for cancer management by augmenting treatment efficacy and meanwhile reducing drug induced toxicity. Continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration is required to address intervening hurdles and completely analyzing the potential of TDDS in clinical oncology.