Recent Advances in Tumor Targeting Drug Delivery System: Fundamentals of Advanced Pharmaceutical Nanoscience

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with the highest morbidity and mortality rates. It is a heterogeneous disease that can occur in any organ or tissue of the body. The current report of the World Health Organization has demonstrated that approximately 1 crore of the world population is affected by different types of cancer, with leading cases of cancer occurring in an Asian population. Despite this, various pathways and proto-oncogenes are responsible for the progression of cancer. As such, it can affect both sexes. Prostate and breast cancer in men and women account for a significant part of cancer cases, respectively. Molecular targeting agents show a pivotal role in drug delivery. Natural compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, genistein, and lycopene help heal the cancerous tissue efficiently and do not cause any side effects to the neighbouring cells. Targeting the site-specific portion with natural herbs provides better outcomes for cancer patients. A scientist develops various carrier systems for cancer to deliver the active moieties to the regions of the specific site. Delivery of medicament through carrier systems, such as liposomes, niosomes, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes, provides better therapeutic outcomes due to its site-specific delivery pattern. Thus, various research for the treatment of cancer are currently ongoing. This chapter highlights an overview of various types of cancer barriers and conceptual information of carrier systems.

Keywords: Cancer, Carrier systems, Natural compounds, Proto-oncogenes.