Nanoparticle Platforms in Oncology and Chronic Disease Management: Emerging Paradigms in Targeted Therapeutics

Abstract

Pharmaceutical scientists have developed nanoparticle based drug delivery systems as revolutionary advances for pharmaceutical science and specifically for the treatment of cancer and chronic illnesses. The increasing number of people suffering from conditions—such as cancer-related disorders; diabetes; cardiovascular diseases; and neurodegenerative diseases—around the world has created an urgent need for therapeutic strategies that are precise, efficient, and beneficial to patients. Limitations of traditional drug delivery methods frequently result in poor bioavailability of the drug used, inability to deliver to a specific target, toxicities to adjacent body systems, and poor patient compliance. As a result of these limitations of traditional drug delivery techniques, nanoparticle platforms (e.g., liposomes, dendrimers, and metallic nanoparticles) can be utilized to overcome traditional limitations of drug delivery by facilitating targeted drug delivery; facilitating controlled release of therapeutic drugs; and improving the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug.

This research paper uses a qualitative analysis of previously published works and research done internationally regarding the industry of pharmaceuticals to infer the characteristics of the leading nanoparticle-based platform types, the types of mechanisms they use to target delivery, and their uses for cancer treatment and the management or prevention of chronic diseases. It also identifies various issues associated with toxicology, regulations, developing processes, and clinical application for these types of products. The results yield strong evidence of the advantages to using nanoparticle systems as a means of increasing efficacy of treatment, limiting adverse treatment effects, and providing tools for providing precision medicine. However, due to safety issues, the complexity of their manufacturing processes, and lack of clarity in regulatory guidelines, the widespread adoption of nanoparticle systems has not yet occurred. 

Finally, the authors conclude from their analyses that the use of nanoparticles for the purpose of targeted therapeutic delivery has tremendous potential to create change in the way we currently think about targeted therapeutics and provide solutions not previously imaginable. In order for nanoparticle systems to be adopted into clinical practice, regulatory agencies will need to create supportive regulatory frameworks that enhance the research conducted on the long-term safety of the products; there will need to be further investigation done on scalability of manufacturing of nanoparticle systems; and there will need to be significant research conducted that will support their applications of use in hospital and clinical settings.