Exploring the potential of nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for cancer therapy: A review

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the use of organic nanoparticles such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and inorganic nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles and mesoporous silica nanoparticles in drug delivery in chemotherapy for cancer therapy. Another strategy is the use of nanoparticle vehicles for drug delivery through the natural openings on tumor vessels called fenestrations. Both of these can be functionalized to attach angiotensin to lymphocytes or any certain part of the cancer cell membrane, microenvironment, or cytoplasmic or nuclear receptor sites, and therefore a high concentration of drug delivery to targeted cancer cells is achieved, but with less or no toxicity to normal tissue. The potential advantages evident in this technology are useful approaches to established high-concentration drug treatment of cancer tissues without harming normal cells. Some features of a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system include the durability of the vehicle, biocompatibility, permeation, and ability to target specific types of cells. Organic and inorganic nanoparticles have developed this kind of drug-carrier system. Particulate systems are also still being explored for cancer drug resistance mechanisms, and their function in immunotherapy is expanding.