Cetuximab antibody and fragment-engineered nanoplatforms in targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis

Background:Nanotechnology serves as a promising platform in modern cancer therapy, enabling targeted drug delivery, improved bioavailability, and multifunctional treatment approaches. There are numerous molecular targets implicated in the progression of several malignancies, among which epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been pivotal role. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody for EGFR inhibition, has demonstrated clinical benefits; however, its therapeutic impact remains constrained by tumor penetration off-target toxicity, and resistance development.Objective:This review summarizes recent progress in cetuximab-based nanoplatforms for cancer diagnosis and therapy, highlighting their mechanisms, therapeutic performance and strategies to overcome resistance.Methods:Relevant studies were searched from credible data bases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane library,…) and analyzed to evaluate the design and biomedical applications of cetuximab-conjugated nanocarriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, gold and iron oxide nanoparticles, dendrimers, and DNA-based nanostructures. Antibody fragment-based systems such as Fab and scFv were also considered.Results:Cetuximab functionalized nanoparticles enhanced tumor targeting, improved cellular uptake, and increased cytotoxicity compared with free drug formulations. Many systems demonstrated reduced off-target toxicity and improved pharmacokinetics. Multifunctional nanoplatforms integrating chemotherapy, gene silencing, phototherapy or imaging agents showed promising therapeutic potential. Antibody fragment modified carriers further improved tumor penetration and targeting specificity. Several studies reported effective inhibition of tumor growth and partial reversal of multidrug resistance in preclinical models.Conclusion:Cetuximab based nanoplatforms represent a promising approach for enhancing EGFR-targeted cancer therapy. Continued optimization, standardized safety assessment and clinical validation are required to turn these systems into clinical oncology practice.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cetuximab ، ErbB receptors ، Nanoparticles ، Drug delivery systems ، Neoplasms