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Multifunctional lipid nanocarriers: advancing topical skin cancer treatment

Lívia Vieira Depieri1, Milena Finazzi Morais1, Lorena Amorim Tiritan1

  • 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|August 22, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Multifunctional lipid nanocarriers enhance topical skin cancer treatment by overcoming poor drug penetration and retention. These advanced systems improve drug delivery and tumor targeting for better therapeutic outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Dermatology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Skin cancer is a global health issue with limited topical treatment efficacy due to poor drug delivery.
  • Conventional topical therapies face challenges like inadequate skin penetration and drug retention.
  • The tumor microenvironment presents complex biological barriers to effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in multifunctional lipid nanocarriers for topical skin cancer therapy.
  • To explore strategies for enhancing drug delivery, tumor selectivity, and therapeutic efficacy.
  • To discuss the potential of integrated therapeutic and delivery systems.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
  • Focus on surface functionalization, stimulus-responsive systems, combination therapies, and theranostics.
  • Analysis of biological rationale and delivery strategies for nanocarriers.

Main Results:

  • Multifunctional lipid nanocarriers offer a versatile platform to address limitations of conventional therapies.
  • Integration of functionalities enhances performance by targeting multiple barriers.
  • These systems show potential for improved drug delivery and tumor selectivity.

Conclusions:

  • Multifunctional lipid nanocarriers represent a promising approach for advanced topical skin cancer treatment.
  • Future development requires identifying effective combinations compatible with clinical requirements.
  • Continued research is essential for optimizing these nanocarriers for therapeutic benefit.
Keywords:
Drug co-deliverySkin cancermultifunctional lipid nanocarriersphysical delivery technologiesstimulus-responsive deliverysurface functionalizationtheranosticstopical drug delivery

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