Chitosan-based copolymeric nanocarrier systems: A novel paradigm for targeted breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide, posing a significant challenge due to its high incidence and the limitations of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. These traditional approaches are often associated with systemic toxicity, poor selectivity, and limited therapeutic efficacy. In response, targeted drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising alternative, aiming to enhance treatment precision while minimizing adverse effects. Among the various nanocarriers developed, chitosan-based copolymeric nanoparticles have shown exceptional potential in the targeted treatment of breast cancer. Owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, pH-responsiveness, and tunable physicochemical properties, these nanocarriers offer improved drug encapsulation, sustained and controlled release, and preferential accumulation within tumor tissues via both passive and active targeting mechanisms. Their functional versatility further allows for surface modification with targeting ligands, significantly enhancing specificity to cancer cells and reducing off-target interactions. This review highlights the transformative potential of chitosan-based copolymeric nanocarriers as a next-generation platform for breast cancer therapy. By overcoming key challenges of conventional treatments and integrating advanced imaging and theranostic capabilities, these multifunctional nanoparticles pave the way for precise, personalized, and more effective cancer care.