Targeted Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy Using Nanotechnology(Breast Cancer).

Author

Vaishnavi s.Bhavsar, Sayali Pagire

Abstract

 Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide and remains a major health problem. Conventional chemotherapy is widely used for treatment, but it can cause serious side effects because anticancer drugs may affect both cancerous and healthy cells. Targeted drug delivery using nanotechnology offers a promising approach to improve the effectiveness and safety of breast cancer treatment. Nanoparticles can carry anticancer drugs and deliver them more selectively to tumor tissues. Passive targeting mainly uses the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, while active targeting uses specific molecules such as antibodies, peptides, or ligands to recognize receptors present on cancer cells. Different nanocarriers, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, gold nanoparticles, and biomimetic nanoparticles, can be used for drug delivery. Molecular targets such as HER2, EGFR, CD44, folate receptors, and integrins may improve selective drug delivery. Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles can also release drugs in response to pH, enzymes, temperature, or other tumor-related conditions. Recent developments include smart nanoparticles, biomimetic systems, theranostics, personalized nanomedicine, and combination therapy. However, challenges such as tumor heterogeneity, poor tumor penetration, toxicity, manufacturing complexity, cost, and regulatory issues remain. Nanotechnology therefore has strong potential for developing safer, more precise, and effective breast cancer therapy.

Keywords

Breast cancer, Targeted drug delivery, Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, Nanoparticles (NPs), Liposomes, Polymeric nanoparticles, Active targeting

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References

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