Targeted Cancer Therapy Using Nanotechnology: Current Research and Clinical Challenges

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery using nanotechnology has emerged as a revolutionary paradigm in oncology, promising to maximize therapeutic efficacy while mitigating the systemic toxicities traditionally associated with conventional chemotherapy. Despite significant preclinical breakthroughs in utilizing liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and inorganic nano-carriers, the translation rate into clinical practice remains critically low. This comprehensive review systematically analyzes the current landscape of active and passive targeting mechanisms, focusing on the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect and ligand-receptor interactions. We critically evaluate the physiological barriers hindering uniform intratumoral delivery, including the high interstitial fluid pressure, dense extracellular matrix, and macrophage clearance pathways. Furthermore, we address clinical hurdles such as scaling batch synthesis, chemistry-manufacturing-control (CMC) consistency, and long-term biocompatibility profiles. By identifying key research gaps between animal tumor models and heterogeneous human physiology, this paper outlines actionable engineering methodologies and multi-disciplinary approaches required to transition targeted nanomedicines from benchmarking laboratory setups to standardized clinical oncology workflows.  KEYWORDS: Nanotechnology, Targeted Drug Delivery, Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) Effect, Clinical Translation, TumorMicroenvironment, Polymeric Nanoparticles.