Investigation of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, necessitating innovative approaches for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. This research investigates novel drug delivery systems tailored for targeted cancer therapy. The study focuses on developing delivery platforms that can improve the precision, bioavailability, and therapeutic index of anticancer agents. The first aspect of this investigation involves the exploration of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, micelles, and nanoparticles. These nanocarriers exhibit unique properties that allow for controlled drug release and enhanced accumulation at tumor sites through passive targeting mechanisms like the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Furthermore, active targeting strategies employing ligands or antibodies specific to cancer cell surface receptors are employed to achieve site-specific drug delivery, minimizing off-target effects. In addition to nanocarriers, the study delves into the utilization of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems. These systems leverage the tumor microenvironment's unique characteristics, such as acidic pH, elevated temperature, or increased enzyme levels, to trigger drug release selectively within the cancerous tissue. This approach enhances the therapeutic payload delivered to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. The investigation also explores the integration of advanced imaging modalities into drug delivery systems to facilitate real-time monitoring of drug distribution and therapeutic response. This ensures precise delivery and allows for timely adjustments in treatment strategies. Furthermore, the study assesses the potential of combining different therapeutic agents within a single delivery system, exploiting synergistic effects to enhance antitumor efficacy.