Engineered chitosan nanoparticles: Harnessing bioresources for advanced multifunctional synergy in anticancer...

Chitosan (CS), a naturally derived cationic polysaccharide, demonstrates considerable promise in tumor-targeted drug delivery owing to its exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and modifiable molecular architecture. Nevertheless, its inherent limitations in aqueous solubility and hydrophobic drug loading capacity constrain its broader application. Recent advancements, employing molecular engineering strategies coupled with sustainable process optimization, have substantially improved its solubility profile and efficiency in encapsulating hydrophobic therapeutics. These refinements effectively potentiate the versatility and efficacy of CS-based carriers for delivering diverse payloads, including chemotherapeutic agents and biomacromolecular drugs. Moreover, the strategic integration of targeting ligands into CS nanocarriers, synergized with multi-mechanistic therapeutic regimens, is propelling CS nanoparticles to the forefront as a pivotal tumor-specific therapeutic paradigm. Beyond its therapeutic merits, this CS nanoplatform establishes a paradigm for sustainable biomaterial engineering in oncology. It shows how rational molecular design enables bio-derived polymers to overcome inherent limitations for multifunctionality, providing a blueprint to engineer next-gen biopolymer delivery systems and accelerate convergence of materials science, nanotechnology, and precision medicine. This review systematically details the full development pathway for CS-based delivery systems, from biomass utilization and molecular functionalization design to nanoparticle fabrication and multi-mechanism therapeutic strategies, aiming to expedite the clinical translation of next-generation, CS-derived anti-tumor nanoplatforms.