NANOCARRIERS IN CANCER THERAPY: ENHANCING PRECISION AND SAFETY IN DRUG DELIVERY FOR LABORATORY AND EMERGENCY APPLICATIONS

*Fouad Hamed saeed Alamri, Mutlaq Gatar N. Alruwas, Abdullah Ibrahim Al Eissa, Abdulhadi Ali alqahtani, Khalid Saad Matar Alshammari, Abdulaziz Abdullah Mughiran Alharbi, Raud Mater Husayban Al-Mutairi

ABSTRACT

Background: Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death globally, and traditional treatments like chemotherapy often suffer from limitations such as systemic toxicity and lack of specificity. Nanotechnology, particularly nanocarriers, offers a promising solution by enabling targeted drug delivery, improving bioavailability, and minimizing side effects. Aim: This paper aims to explore the use of nanocarriers in targeted cancer therapy, assessing their potential to enhance the precision, efficacy, and safety of cancer treatments. The focus is on evaluating various nanocarrier systems and their ability to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. Methods: A systematic review of existing literature was conducted, covering studies on nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles. The review includes both in vitro and in vivo studies, examining parameters such as drug release, targeting efficiency, biocompatibility, and safety profiles. Results: Nanocarriers were found to significantly improve drug delivery to tumor sites, increasing therapeutic efficacy while reducing toxicity. Liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles showed superior tumor-targeting abilities, enhanced by surface modifications for active targeting. Nanocarriers also allowed for controlled drug release, ensuring sustained therapeutic effects. Toxicity studies suggest that well-designed nanocarriers have favorable safety profiles compared to conventional treatments. Conclusion: Nanocarriers represent a promising advancement in cancer therapy, offering targeted delivery, reduced toxicity, and improved treatment outcomes. Despite promising results, further research is needed to optimize their clinical application and evaluate long-term safety in diverse cancer types.

Keywords: Nanocarriers, targeted therapy, cancer, drug delivery, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, chemotherapy, tumor targeting.