Nanoparticles- Drug Delivery System in Cancer Therapy

Cancer nanotherapeutics are rapidly progressing and are being implemented to solve several limitations of conventional drug delivery systems such as nonspecific biodistribution and targeting, lack of water solubility, poor oral bioavailability, and low therapeutic indices. To improve the biodistribution of cancer drugs, nanoparticles have been designed for optimal size and surface characteristics to increase their circulation time in the bloodstream. Nanoparticle has emerged as a promising strategy for the efficient delivery of drugs used in the treatment of cancer by avoiding the reticuloendothelial system, utilizing the enhanced permeability and retention effect and tumorspecific targeting. Delivery methods using nanoparticle are highlighted including both degradable and non-degradable polymers. The preparation techniques include emulsion polymerization, micelle polymerization, desolation of macromolecule, and emulsion-solvent evaporation methods. The particle size of the polymeric nanoparticle is in the nanometer range (10- 1000 nm) and is dependent on the method of preparation employed.