Advancements in Nanoparticle-Based Therapies for Breast Cancer: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Breast cancer, one of the leading cancer types, directly contributes to cancer-related mortality, but new therapies are required to improve treatment efficiency. Nanoparticle-based strategies have already introduced the most radical advances in this regard, from their first formulation through their development to the next generation as promising candidates. The present review provides an overview of nanoparticle-based strategies in breast cancer, their development, and their state of the art. The review addresses the diverse formulation of nanoparticles, including liposomes, dendrimers, and metallic nanoparticles, as well as their respective roles in drug delivery: bioavailability, focused therapeutic intervention, and lower systemic toxicity. This review covers studies on the engineering of nanoparticles for improved drug delivery, including cancer-targeted delivery to tumors and optimization within the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, new nanosized drugs may also be utilized for novel modification of nanoparticle composition for combination therapeutics, which allows pharmacological agents to enter the tumor microenvironment by combined treatment with diverse types of other agents, to provide a synergistic, effective treatment in real time, in addition to real-time monitoring. Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, which release the drug according to the appropriate stimulus signal to provide greater accuracy and regulation in delivering the drug, are also under investigation. This review notes trends in personalized nanomedicine and nanoparticle-mediated immunotherapy that target personalized patient and immune responses, among others. Other exciting areas for nanoparticle research include AI-based optimal design and sustainable biodegradable materials aimed at maintaining nanoparticle safety. Nanoparticle-based therapies are a unique new frontier in breast cancer therapy. They have considerable clinical potential, offer promise for patient-specific treatment, and warrant further investigation in breast cancer, particularly in advanced targeting mechanisms, multifunctional approaches, and individualized interventions.