The Role of Excipients and Nanoparticles in Improving Cancer Treatments: A Review

Abstract

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as an approach to combat the issues associated with conventional cancer treatments. These systems improve drug delivery by enhancing bioavailability, targeting cancer cells more effectively, and reducing side effects. Excipients, traditionally considered inactive ingredients, play a critical role in optimizing these systems by influencing drug absorption, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy. This review will evaluate recent advancements in the use of excipients and nanoparticles in cancer treatment, with a focus on chitosan-based nanoparticles, tannic acid-paclitaxel nanoparticles (TAP NPs), and fully active pharmaceutical ingredient nanoparticles (FAPINs). Chitosan nanoparticles exhibit excellent safety profiles and efficient drug delivery, making them suitable as lipophilic anticancer drug carriers and targeting colon cancer cells. TAP NPs tackle challenges like poor drug solubility and toxicity, particularly in breast cancer treatment, and FAPINs combine treatment and imaging in one system, making it easier to target tumors. The strengths, limitations, and suggested future actions for these approaches are discussed to provide an understanding of their potential in cancer therapy.