The Role of Nanotechnology in the Development of Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and despite advances in chemotherapy, many treatments suffer from low specificity and high toxicity to healthy tissues. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to overcome these limitations by enabling targeted drug delivery systems that improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. This article reviews recent progress in the design and application of nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and metallic nanoparticles for cancer therapy. These nanocarriers can be engineered to recognize specific molecular markers on cancer cells, facilitating selective drug accumulation at tumor sites. Moreover, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles that release drugs in response to pH, temperature, or enzymes within the tumor microenvironment have shown enhanced treatment outcomes. The integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single nanosystem, known as theranostics, further enhances personalized medicine approaches. Despite promising preclinical results, challenges such as large-scale manufacturing, long-term toxicity, and regulatory approval remain. Future research should focus on optimizing nanoparticle design for improved biocompatibility and targeting efficiency, as well as conducting comprehensive clinical trials. Overall, nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment strategies, offering hope for more effective and safer therapies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Targeted nanomedicine ، Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles ، Cancer drug delivery systems ، Theranostic nanotechnology