Abstract

NANOPARTICLES IN CANCER TREATMENT: A REVIEW

Ameer*, Anudeep, Supraja and Shivani

ABSTRACT

Nanoparticles have had a significant impact on cancer treatment, revolutionizing the field with their numerous benefits. In the past, conventional chemotherapy was the primary treatment option for patients, but it had various limitations in terms of stability, drug interactions, drug resistance, and solubility in water. Additionally, chemotherapy often resulted in toxic side effects, including loss of appetite, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhoea, which affected healthy cells. The emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) further complicated cancer treatment, as tumour cells became resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents. However, the introduction of nanotechnology-based chemotherapy has opened up new possibilities for cancer treatment. Specifically, medication involving nanoparticles shows great potential in reducing systemic toxicity by producing functionalized particles for targeted treatment. It also offers an alternative approach to overcoming multidrug resistance by bypassing the efflux mechanism associated with this phenotype in addition to their advantages in treatment, nanoparticles also play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis. This paper aims to outline the current role of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, using up-to-date knowledge. To assess the role of nanoparticles in cancer treatment, this review analysed articles published between 2002 and 2021 in both local and foreign journals. The inclusion criteria for articles were based on their relevance to the application of nanoparticles in cancer treatment. Articles with copyright issues, irrelevant information, or lacking full text were excluded. This paper will provide an updated review highlighting the breakthroughs, challenges, and prospects of nanoparticles in cancer treatment.

Keywords: Cancer therapy, Cancer treatment, Nanoparticles, Nanotechnology, Nanocarriers, Nanomedicine.