Perspective - (2025) Volume 12, Issue 1
Received: 02-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. bset-25-168435;
Editor assigned: 04-Jan-2025, Pre QC No. P-168435;
Reviewed: 18-Jan-2025, QC No. Q-168435;
Revised: 23-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. R-168435;
Published:
30-Jan-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2952-8526.2025.12.240
Citation: Connor, William. "Biocompatible Nanomaterials for Targeted Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy." J Biomed Syst Emerg Technol 12 (2025): 240.
Copyright: © 2025 Connor W. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Biocompatible nanomaterials used for cancer drug delivery span a wide range of classes, including lipid-based nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, inorganic nanoparticles, and biomimetic systems. Liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles are among the earliest and most clinically validated nanocarriers. Composed of natural or synthetic lipids, these carriers encapsulate hydrophilic drugs in their aqueous core or hydrophobic drugs within their lipid bilayer. Their biocompatibility and ability to fuse with cell membranes make them highly effective for intracellular delivery. For instance, Doxil®, a liposomal formulation of doxorubicin, was one of the first FDA-approved nano-drugs, demonstrating reduced cardiotoxicity compared to free doxorubicin. Polymeric nanoparticles, constructed from biodegradable materials like PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)), PEG (polyethylene glycol), and chitosan, allow controlled drug release and surface functionalization with targeting ligands. These properties ensure that drugs are released specifically at tumor sites over a sustained period, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects.
Targeting strategies play a crucial role in directing nanocarriers to cancer cells. Passive targeting exploits the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, a phenomenon where nanoparticles accumulate in tumor tissue due to leaky vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage. However, the variability of the EPR effect across tumor types and patients has driven the development of active targeting mechanisms. These involve modifying nanomaterials with ligands such as antibodies, peptides, aptamers, or small molecules that recognize and bind specifically to overexpressed receptors on cancer cells (e.g., folate receptors, transferrin receptors, HER2). Once bound, the nanocarriers are internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis, facilitating intracellular drug release. To further enhance targeting specificity, stimuli-responsive nanomaterials have been developed. These smart systems release their payload in response to internal triggers (e.g., pH, enzymes, redox environment) or external stimuli (e.g., temperature, light, magnetic field), ensuring that drugs are delivered precisely when and where they are needed most.
Inorganic nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, quantum dots, and magnetic nanoparticles offer unique optical, electrical, and magnetic properties that can be exploited for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes a concept known as theranostics. For example, gold nanoparticles can be conjugated with drugs and targeting ligands while also being used for photothermal therapy, where they convert absorbed light into heat to ablate tumor cells. Magnetic nanoparticles like iron oxide can be directed using external magnetic fields and visualized via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), allowing for real-time tracking of drug delivery. However, while these materials offer multifunctionality, ensuring their long-term safety and biodegradability is crucial for clinical acceptance. Researchers are increasingly combining inorganic cores with biocompatible shells or coatings (e.g., PEGylation) to improve circulation time and minimize immune recognition [2].
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