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Advancing the field of drug delivery: taking aim at cancer

Marsha A Moses1, Henry Brem, Robert Langer

  • 1The Vascular Biology Program, Children's Hospital and the Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Cancer Cell
|December 12, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Advanced drug delivery systems improve cancer treatment efficacy. This review covers approved therapies like liposomal systems and transdermal patches, and future innovations such as smart microchips for better cancer drug delivery.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Drug delivery systems (DDS) are integral to modern cancer therapeutics.
  • Millions of patients have benefited from existing DDS, leading to new treatment options and improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review regulatory-approved and clinically utilized cancer drug delivery systems.
  • To discuss emerging "smart" drug delivery technologies and future challenges in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of regulatory-approved drug delivery systems for cancer therapeutics.
  • Discussion of current clinical applications including controlled delivery, local chemotherapy, polymer conjugates, liposomal systems, and transdermal patches.
  • Exploration of next-generation technologies like controlled release microchips.

Main Results:

  • Several drug delivery systems are approved and in clinical use, enhancing cancer therapy.
  • Established systems include controlled delivery, local chemotherapy, polymer drug conjugates, liposomal systems, and transdermal patches.
  • Future directions involve "smart" systems like controlled release microchips.

Conclusions:

  • Drug delivery systems have significantly advanced cancer treatment.
  • Current systems offer diverse therapeutic strategies, with ongoing innovation promising further improvements.
  • Future research should address challenges in developing and implementing next-generation smart drug delivery systems for oncology.

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