Introduction
Cancer faces a number of physiological challenges, including
vascular endothelial pores, uneven blood supply, and
heterogeneous architecture (Jain, 1989; Jain, 2001). It is critical to
overcome these barriers for a drug to be effective. For medication
delivery, cancer represents a massive biological problem (Baker
and Choi, 2005). The mode of distribution has a big impact on
cancer therapy. Patients with cancer employed a variety of
anticancer medications in the past, but these treatments were
proven to be ineffective and to have significant adverse effects.
Nanoparticles have attracted scientists' interest owing to their
multifunctional properties. The use of tailored drug delivery
nanoparticles to treat cancer is the most recent medical
breakthrough. Nanomaterials are at the forefront of
nanotechnology's constantly evolving field. Nanoparticles'
applicability in cancer medication delivery are limitless, with
new ones being developed all the time. This evaluation is
based on the positive implications of these platforms for
cancer diagnostics and treatments innovation. Nanoparticles
are appealing for cancer therapy for a variety of reasons: they
have unique pharmacokinetics, including minimal renal
filtration; they have high surface-to-volume ratios, allowing
modification with a variety of surface functional groups that
home, internalise or stabilise; and they can be made from a
variety of materials to enclose or solubilize therapeutic agents
for drug delivery or to provide exclusive optical, magnetic,
and elastomeric properties. The structure of a nanoparticle
core, coating, and surface functional groups lends itself to
modular design, allowing features and functional moieties to
be swapped out or mixed. Although much of the functionality
of nanoparticles has been established, including some
clinically approved drug formulations and imaging agents
(Harisinghani and Weissleder, 2004; Gordon et al., 2001), the
merging of these into nanocarriers (nanoparticles) capable of
targeting, imaging, and delivering therapeutics is an exciting
area of research with great potential for cancer treatment in the
A systematic review on nanoparticles: A ubiquitous approach for anti-tumour drug
delivery and cancer management
Aman Shukla, Manju Prajapati, Vishal Shrivastava*
School of Pharmacy, LNCT University, JK Town, Sarvardham, C-Sector, Kolar Road, Bhopal, 462042, Madhya Pradesh, India
* Corresponding Author: Address for
Vishal Shrivastava
School of Pharmacy, LNCT University, JK Town, Sarvardham, C-
Sector, Kolar Road, Bhopal, 462042, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: shrivastav.vishal16@gmail.com
Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine current research on nanotechnology-based medication delivery.
Pharmaceutical nanocarriers currently in use, such as microspheres, dendrimers, nanoparticles, micelles, polymeric
nanoparticles, and others, have a wide range of useful properties, including longevity in the blood, which allows for
accumulation in pathological areas with reduced vasculature; specific targeting to specific disease sites; improved
intracellular penetration of nonmaterial with contrast properties, which allows for direct visualisation. Some
pharmacological carriers have already entered clinical trials, while others are still in the early stages of research.
Furthermore, the development of multifunctional nanocarriers with desirable qualities might greatly improve the
efficacy of a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic techniques. These cutting-edge materials function at the nanoscale
level and provide new and powerful imaging, diagnostic, and treatment techniques. Data from research papers
published in journals, data from different publications, and other internet accessible material were used to compile
various reports. A list of several medication delivery methods through NP is offered, along with its benefits and
drawbacks. Nanotechnology is a breakthrough invention that has a broad range of applications in disciplines such as
medicine, communications, diagnostics, and electronics.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, multifunctional nanocarriers, cancer, drug delivery, imaging agents
Review Article
Received: 12 October 2021 Revised: 18 November 2021 Accepted: 3 December 2021
www.apjonline.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31024/apj.2021.6.6.3
2456-1436/Copyright © 2021, N.S. Memorial Scientific Research and Education Society. This is an open access article under the CC BY-
NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Advance Pharmaceutical Journal 2021; 6(6):157-168 157