Recent advancements in genistein nanocarrier systems for effective cancer management

Cancer continues to be a significant global health concern, consistently ranking as one of the leading causes of mortality across diverse populations and socio-economic contexts. Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavonoid, has gained significant attention for its diverse health benefits, particularly its potent anticancer activity. Emerging pre-clinical and clinical evidences highlights its ability to modulate key cellular processes, including apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, metastasis, immune responses and cell cycle regulation. Despite its therapeutic potential, the clinical translation of genistein is limited by its poor pharmacokinetics, low aqueous solubility, and rapid metabolic degradation, resulting in suboptimal bioavailability. To address these limitations, various nanotechnology-based formulations have been developed, significantly improving the bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic efficacy of genistein. Functionalized nanocarriers further enhance its effectiveness by enabling targeted drug delivery, reducing off-target toxicities, and achieving sustained release at the tumor site. This review provides a comprehensive overview of advanced nanoformulations for genistein delivery emphasizing their efficacy against prevalent cancers such as breast, lung, and colon cancer. By exploring the interplay between genistein's therapeutic potential and innovative drug delivery systems, this review underscores the transformative impact of nanotechnology in overcoming the limitations of conventional cancer therapies and improving patience compliance.