breaking barriers in cancer treatment: an updated review on clinical translation of novel nanocarrier systems

Cancer is still a significant cause of illness and death globally, and it is therefore crucial to find new ways of improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. chemotherapy has the potential to act effectively on cancer cells but also impacts normal cells, leading to serious side effects. in this review, we discuss how nanotechnology is overcoming these challenges through novel concepts to improve the specificity and efficiency of chemotherapy delivery. through the utilization of nanocarriers (ncs), including lipid-based, polymer-based, protein-based, carbon-based, and inorganic nanosystems (for example, metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and metal-organic frameworks), as well as hybrid and responsive nanosystems, nanotechnology provides the possibility for more specific and sensitive targeted drug delivery. all these can reduce undesired side effects and enhance treatment outcomes by facilitating the potential for earlier treatment and diagnosis. our review article presents an overview of clinical trials in progress and fda-approved nc-based anticancer therapies, unveiling the progress in the area. utilizing nanotechnology for cancer treatment is a significant paradigm shift, with the potential to revolutionize drug delivery, minimize side effects, and ultimately improve the lives of cancer patients. we also highlighted the challenges inherent in utilizing ncs for targeted drug delivery, alongside potential strategies to tackle these obstacles, with the ultimate goal of advancing cancer therapy and improving overall survival rates for patients.