Innovative nanoparticle strategies for treating oral cancers.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presents significant global health challenges.
• Conventional treatments for OSCC are limited by poor targeting and severe side effects.
• Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) offer a potential solution to improve OSCC therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of DDS in enhancing the efficacy of OSCC treatment.
• To review the advantages and limitations of various nanoparticle platforms for drug delivery in OSCC.
• To discuss future directions for nanoparticle-based therapies in OSCC.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on nanoparticle DDS for OSCC.
• Analysis of specific nanoparticle types, including liposomes and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles.
• Examination of functionalized nanoparticles and their targeting mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Liposomal cisplatin demonstrated a 40% improvement in tumor suppression compared to free drug.
• PLGA nanoparticles achieved up to 2.3 times greater intertumoral drug accumulation.
• EGFR-targeted gold nanoparticles showed up to 90% receptor binding, enhancing selectivity.

Conclusions:

• Nanoparticle DDS can improve drug stability, targeting accuracy, and reduce toxicity in OSCC treatment.
• Challenges such as manufacturing scalability and nanoparticle toxicity remain.
• Advancements in multifunctional and stimuli-responsive nanoparticles hold promise for personalized and effective OSCC therapies.