Nano-enabled targeted transdermal therapy for pain management in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer, caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, remains one of the leading causes of cancer death among women. Pain is a significant concern in patients with advanced disease, due to the anatomical position of cervical cancer as well as struggles with major therapeutic pain management remedies. Opioids, which are the mainstay of pain control, are saddled with many drawbacks, including poor tolerance, serious side effects, and addiction over long-term use. Transdermal delivery systems, including opioid patches, are established approaches for cancer pain management, offering sustained drug release and improved patient compliance. Nanocarriers, such as Lipid-, polymeric-, and inorganic-based nanocarriers, have been explored in recent years to improve the delivery of analgesics and anticancer drugs, offering a direct delivery to tumor cells, thereby reducing systemic exposure and limiting toxicity. These nanocarriers have demonstrated the ability to enhance drug penetration, modulate release profiles, and improve drug retention at sites associated with pain, leading to consistent analgesic effect and reduced systemic exposure. However, most evidence supporting these approaches remains at the preclinical level, with limited clinical data specifically addressing pain management in cervical cancer. This review examines the role of nano-enabled drug delivery systems, including transdermal and localized delivery systems in the management of cervical cancer and its associated pain. While nanotechnology offers a promising system for improving pain management strategies, further clinically relevant studies are required to establish its therapeutic value in the management of cervical cancer-associated pain.