Exploring the underlying modes of organic nanoparticles in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer: a review from drug delivery to toxicity

Currently, the majority of cancer treatment approaches center on surgically excising cancerous tumors in addition to physical and chemical treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively. The main problems with these techniques are the severe adverse effects linked to systemic toxicity and suppression of normal cell development. Moreover, conventional chemotherapeutics had also severe dose-limiting side effects and were ineffective when administered systemically. Demerits of existing approaches against cancer urge the researchers to search for some alternatives like nanoparticles. Many medications can be delivered to disease areas via these nanoparticles/nanocarriers. The effective therapeutic response is limited by many biological barriers that impede the accurate transport of nanoformulations to desired locations. Most approaches to designing innovative nanocarriers with many capabilities to achieve superior therapeutics have not succeeded in bringing drug delivery systems to clinics, despite many attempts. A number of challenges still exist, including the inability of medications to be stable in nanocarriers during nonspecific distribution, circulation, and insufficient delivery of therapeutic drugs to target regions as a result of complex tumor microenvironments. This article discusses various organic nanocarriers and their promising therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cancer. It also highlights recent advancements in stimuli-sensitive and multifunctional nanocarriers. Lastly, the difficulties and novel solutions to several hindrances and restrictions for their effective applications in the clinical procedures are also discussed in mechanisitic manner.