Table 4 Current challenges in nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery for cancer treatment
From: Developments in nanotechnology approaches for the treatment of solid tumors
Category | Challenge | Description |
|---|---|---|
Design and Development | Ensuring stability of nanoparticles during storage and administration is crucial as instability can cause aggregation or premature drug release | |
Achieving a high drug loading capacity while maintaining the structural integrity of the nanoparticles presents a significant challenge | ||
It is challenging to manufacture nanoparticles on a large scale with consistent quality and performance | ||
Developing nanoparticles that can precisely target cancer cells without affecting healthy cells remains a significant challenge | ||
Achieving controlled and sustained drug release at the target site is crucial yet challenging | ||
Biological Interactions | Nanoparticles need to avoid detection and clearance by the immune system in order to effectively reach the tumor | |
Biodistribution and Accumulation [253] | Ensuring that nanoparticles accumulate in the tumor, rather than in non-target tissues, is a major challenge | |
Biocompatibility and Toxicity [254] | Nanoparticles must be biocompatible and non-toxic to prevent adverse reactions in the body | |
The variability in tumor microenvironments can impact the penetration and efficacy of nanoparticle-based treatments | ||
Regulatory Issues | Standardization and Characterization [257] | It is important to develop standardized methods for characterizing nanoparticles to obtain regulatory approval, but this process can be quite complex |
To ensure greater clinical reproducibility, preclinical safety and tolerability studies must follow a more extended and rigorous evaluation timeline, which negatively impact on costs | ||
Understanding and navigating the regulatory pathways for the approval of nanoparticle-based therapies can be a complex and uncertain process | ||
Clinical Translation | Translation from Preclinical to Clinical [184] | Human metabolism is more complex than that of animal models, involving the reticuloendothelial, immune, and lymphatic systems as additional clearance pathways beyond the renal and hepatic routes |
Patient Variability [262] | Variations in genetics, disease state, and treatment response can impact nanoparticle-based therapy efficacy | |
Cost and Accessibility [263] | High development and production costs can restrict patient access to nanoparticle-based therapies | |
Combining nanoparticle-based therapies with existing cancer treatments requires careful consideration to avoid interactions and optimize therapeutic outcomes |