The Role of Nanotechnology in Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment

Nanotechnology has changed the treatment of cancer by providing drug delivery systems with targeted release of drugs that maximizes the therapeutic index and minimizes system toxicity. The application of nanomedicine to cancer therapy, including nanoparticle-based drug delivery, target therapy, and topics for future investigations, is addressed in this review. Polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes provide more solubility, stability, and control of drug release than the limitation of traditional chemotherapy. Active and passive targeting strategies have also optimized the drug concentration within the tumor for optimal selectivity of treatment.Intelligent drug carriers such as stimulus-responsive nanoparticles have controlled release drug systems for the avoidance of off-target effects. Theranostic nanoparticles allowed real-time monitoring and imaging of therapy and advanced personalized medicine protocols. Recent breakthroughs in combination therapy using nanocarriers have been demonstrated to be more efficient in avoiding drug resistance and better patient outcome. New developments in nanoscale imaging also enabled cancer to be diagnosed at its earliest stage and the initial treatment process to commence.These breakthroughs come with, though, equally formidable hurdles to cross before one can access the clinic from nanomedicine. Challenges of long-term toxicity, biocompatibility, and acceptability in the eye of regulatory agencies are hurdles in use of nanomedicines on an extrapolatable level. Manufacturable-on-demand protocols and extensive clinical trials need first to validate nanoparticle-based treatments work as hoped and are safe.With ongoing research, nanomedicine holds vast future potential for advancing precision oncology to unprecedented levels. With advanced formulation techniques, regulatory needs, and clinical evidence attained, nanotechnology can revolutionize cancer therapy by delivering more potent, safer, and highly individualized treatment regimens.