Therapies and nanotherapies for cervical cancer (Review)

Cervical cancer (CC) is a major global health concern, ranking fourth worldwide in mortality, due to its high death rate and strong link to persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infections, which drive cancer progression through cellular dysregulation. Conventional therapies used in the treatment of CC have significant disadvantages, such as adverse side effects that affect the quality of life of patients. These side effects may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, fertility problems, damage to nearby organs and systemic toxicity. To address these challenges, there has been an increased interest in using nanotechnology to improve CC therapy. Nanotechnology enables the targeted delivery of drugs or therapeutic agents directly to tumor cells, improving the bioavailability and stability of the treatment. In addition, nanomolecules can overcome biological barriers to ensure precise delivery of drugs to targeted tissues. Currently, several delivery nanosystems enable the transport of drugs to their target sites without altering their composition and preventing them from being degraded. Extensive research has demonstrated the benefits of applying nanotechnology in targeted therapies for different cancer types, seeking to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies and allowing more precise and effective administration of treatments. Therefore, the present review highlights promising nanoparticles used to specifically target CC cells, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and reduce side effects, thus improving the quality of life of patients.