Applications of starch-based mucoadhesive drug delivery systems in cancer management

Mucoadhesive starch drug delivery systems provide a revolutionary approach in oncological treatment, offering distinct advantages over conventional polymers. This research investigates the fundamental aspects of mucoadhesion in drug delivery, along with the optimization techniques for starch-based medicinal delivery systems to maximize their therapeutic potential. Starch-based nanotechnology combined with hydrogels and intelligent interpenetrating polymer networks enhances treatment outcomes of cancers affecting breast, lung, liver, ovarian, and colorectal tissue while improving drug bioavailability. The targeting capabilities of stimuli-responsive starch-based nanocarriers improve through their ability to detect and react to specific tumor microenvironmental indicators such as pH and enzymatic activity level. This review offers important insights into their therapeutic possibilities through a consideration of present and future developmental trends alongside specific challenges and upcoming opportunities. The examination of combination therapies and multi-modal applications showcases the transformative potential of these systems to revolutionize oncological therapy.