Cancer Nanomedicine: Trends and Future Perspectives
摘要
Conventional cancer treatments are frequently constrained by systemic toxicity, inadequate targeting, and drug resistance, making it a significant worldwide health concern. By facilitating precise, regulated, and targeted medication administration, nanomedicine offers a potential alternative that enhances therapeutic efficacy and reduces adverse effects. This chapter reviews recent advances in cancer nanomedicine, highlighting various nanocarriers such as liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, hydrogels, carbon nanotubes, virus-like particles, gold nanoparticles, and graphene oxide that facilitate both passive and active targeting of tumors. The integration of nanotechnology with combination therapies and immunotherapy has expanded treatment potential, enabling co-delivery of drugs, genes, and immune modulators. Nano-immunotherapy, in particular, shows potential in reshaping the tumor microenvironment and enhancing immune responses. Despite these advancements, challenges in toxicity, scalability, and clinical translation persist. Future directions emphasize the development of smart, biodegradable, and patient-specific nanoplatforms, supported by AI and precision medicine. This chapter highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in accelerating the integration of nanomedicine into mainstream clinical oncology, offering promise for more effective, targeted, and safer cancer therapies.