Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery Systems: A Targeted Approach in Cancer Therapy

Ananya Reddy¹, Kiran Kumar², Mehak Jain³

1,2,3 Department of Biotechnology,

BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems have revolutionized cancer treatment by offering greater precision, reduced toxicity, and enhanced therapeutic results. These systems, which include liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and metallic nanoparticles, facilitate the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tumors, thereby minimizing harm to healthy tissues. This article presents an in-depth examination of nanocarrier technologies, their design principles, and their applications in cancer treatment. By conducting a thorough literature review, experimental analysis, and data evaluation, we investigate the effectiveness, challenges, and future prospects of nanocarriers in oncology. This targeted strategy significantly improves the accuracy of drug delivery, leading to decreased systemic toxicity and enhanced therapeutic effectiveness. The distinctive characteristics of nanocarriers, such as their small size, high surface area-to-volume ratio, and capacity to be functionalized with targeting ligands, allow them to bypass biological barriers and preferentially accumulate in tumor tissues through specific mechanisms.

Although nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems hold great promise, their development and clinical application encounter numerous obstacles. One major issue is scalability, as the intricate manufacturing processes needed for producing nanocarriers pose challenges in scaling up for commercial production while ensuring consistent quality and performance. Another significant concern is biocompatibility, given that the long-term impacts of nanoparticles on human health and the environment remain largely unknown. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape for nanomedicine is still in flux, creating hurdles in the approval process for new therapies based on nanocarriers. Current research is dedicated to overcoming these challenges by refining nanocarrier designs for better stability and targeting efficiency, as well as exploring new uses in combination therapies and theranostics. As the field progresses, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems are expected to become increasingly vital in personalized cancer treatment strategies, potentially leading to better patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life.

Keywords

Nanocarriers, Drug Delivery, Cancer Treatment, Targeted Therapy, Nanoparticles, Liposomes, Polymeric Nanoparticles, Dendrimers, Metallic Nanoparticles, Tumor Microenvironment

References

Hristova-Panusheva, K., Krasteva, N., Georgieva, M., & Xenodochidis, C. (2024). Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Precision Targeting in Oncology. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 17(6), 677. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060677

Barenholz, Y. (2012). Doxil®—The first FDA-approved nano-drug: Lessons learned. Journal of Controlled Release, 160(2), 117–134.

Blanco, E., Shen, H., & Ferrari, M. (2015). Principles of nanoparticle design for overcoming biological barriers to drug delivery. Nature Biotechnology, 33(9), 941–951.

Mura, S., Nicolas, J., & Couvreur, P. (2013). Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for drug delivery. Nature Materials, 12(11), 991–1003.

Tomalia, D. A., Baker, H., Dewald, J., Hall, M., Kallos, G., Martin, S., … & Smith, P. (2007). Dendrimers in biomedical applications—Reflections on the field. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 59(7), 677–694.

Cheng, Z., Huang, H., Yin, M., & Liu, H. (2025). Applications of liposomes and lipid nanoparticles in cancer therapy: current advances and prospects. Experimental Hematology & Oncology, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40164-025-00602-1

Singh, R., Kumar, B., Sahu, R. K., Kumari, S., Prasad, A., & Hedau, S. T. (2022). Potential of Dual Drug Delivery Systems: MOF as Hybrid Nanocarrier for Dual Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment. ChemistrySelect, 7(36). https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202201288

Edgar, J. Y. C., & Wang, H. (2017). Introduction for Design of Nanoparticle Based Drug Delivery Systems. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 23(14). https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161025154003

Ruman, U., Hussein, M. Z., Fakurazi, S., & Masarudin, M. J. (2020). Nanocarrier-Based Therapeutics and Theranostics Drug Delivery Systems for Next Generation of Liver Cancer Nanodrug Modalities. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 15(2), 1437–1456. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s236927

Kumar, A., Raikwar, S., Kumar, A., Sharma, T., Mukherjee, D., Islam, M. M., Narang, R. K., Kahlon, M. S., & Lunawat, A. K. (2024). Recent Trends in Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery System for Prostate Cancer. AAPS PharmSciTech, 25(3). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-024-02765-2

Sohail, M., Li, Z., Zhao, F., Chen, D., Xu, H., Fu, F., & Guo, W. (2020). Nanocarrier-based Drug Delivery System for Cancer Therapeutics: A Review of the Last Decade. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 28(19), 3753–3772. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867327666201005111722

Dutta, I., Singh, S., Kumar, N., Rahaman, A., & Tiwari, M. K. (2025). Nanoparticles (NPs) Based Drug Delivery System: An Inspiring Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer Therapy and Their Future Prospects. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 15(4), 133–143. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i4.7040

Deb, V. K., & Jain, U. (2024). Ti3C2 (MXene), an advanced carrier system: role in photothermal, photoacoustic, enhanced drugs delivery and biological activity in cancer therapy. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 14(11), 3009–3031. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01572-3

Gul Inci, T., Acar, S., & Turgut-Balik, D. (2024). Nonsmall-cell lung cancer treatment: current status of drug repurposing and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Turkish Journal of Biology = Turk Biyoloji Dergisi, 48(2), 112–132. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0152.2687

Thakkar, M., & S, B. (2016). Opportunities and Challenges for Niosomes as Drug Delivery Systems. Current Drug Delivery, 13(8), 1275–1289. https://doi.org/10.2174/1567201813666160328113522