Next-generation drug delivery technologies in head and neck cancer: Current therapeutic advances and future...

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) pose formidable challenges due to their invasive behaviour and the tendency for metastasis, often resulting in dismal prognoses, particularly in advanced stages. However, over the last decade, nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as promising assets for both diagnosing and treating HNSCCs. NMs provide distinct advantages by enabling the delivery of a wide variety of active moieties, encompassing imaging agents, drugs, genes, vaccines, radiosensitizers, and photosensitizers, thereby revolutionizing the therapeutic landscape of HNSCCs. This comprehensive review delves into recent strides in NMs, aiming to augment the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of patients afflicted with HNSCC utilizing advanced drug delivery systems. Harnessing the distinctive properties of NMs, including targeted delivery of drug, controlled and sustained release mechanisms, and responsiveness to stimuli, holds immense potential in enhancing treatment efficacy and impact on patient health. Moreover, we explore the prospect of NMs in facilitating personalized medicine strategies tailored to the needs of individual patient, ushering in a new era of precision oncology. Furthermore, we underscore pivotal areas for future research endeavours in the realm of nanotechnology-enabled HNSCC therapy using various drug delivery systems. By amalgamating nanotechnological breakthroughs, we envision a transformative shift in the therapeutic paradigm for HNSCCs, offering promising avenues for early detection, precise therapy, and ultimately, improved survival rates for patients battling this challenging malignancy.