EMERGING INNOVATIONS IN POLYMER-BASED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR TARGETED CANCER THERAPY: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have opened new frontiers in the treatment of complex diseases, particularly cancer. Among these, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) have shown significant promise in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of anticancer agents. One of the primary advantages of these systems is their ability to mitigate the adverse side effects typically associated with conventional chemotherapy. This is achieved through the use of controlled and targeted drug delivery mechanisms that improve drug localization at the tumor site while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Polymeric materials have emerged as highly versatile and effective carriers in the design of DDSs, owing to their favorable characteristics such as improved pharmacokinetics, extended circulation time in the bloodstream, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These properties make polymers especially suitable for delivering chemotherapeutic agents in a more efficient and patient-friendly manner.

The objective of this systematic review was to assess and synthesize the current state of research on polymer-based DDSs employed in cancer therapy, with a particular focus on their therapeutic potential and clinical relevance. The review included studies published up to November 2021, without imposing any time restrictions. Relevant literature was identified through an extensive search of both English and Persian language databases, including SID, MagIran, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.

The search strategy utilized a comprehensive set of keywords such as "drug delivery system," "anticancer agent," "polymeric nanostructure-based drug delivery," "polymer-based drug delivery," and "polymeric system." Analysis of the collected studies revealed that polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) play a pivotal role in improving the therapeutic outcomes of cancer treatment. Compared to traditional chemotherapy approaches, PNPs offer several advantages: they significantly lower the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on healthy tissues, enhance the aqueous solubility of poorly soluble drugs, and effectively suppress tumor growth.

In conclusion, polymeric nanoparticle-based DDSs represent a transformative approach in the field of oncology, offering a promising pathway to more precise, effective, and less harmful cancer treatments.