Design of Receptor-Specific Anticancer Agents for Gallbladder Cancer: Integrating Immunomodulatory Strategies

Gallbladder Cancer (GBC) remains one of the most aggressive biliary tract malignancies, frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its subtle early symptoms. This review examines receptor-mediated drug delivery as a promising approach to address the challenges of late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and chemoresistance in GBC.

A structured literature review methodology was used to produce a comprehensive synthesis of evidence on available advances in receptor-targeted drug delivery and immunomodulatory strategies for Gallbladder Cancer (GBC).

Emphasis is placed on exploiting specific cancer cell receptors, such as EGFR, HER2, VEGFR, FGFR, and the estrogen-related receptor, as targets for nanoparticles, liposomes, and antibody-drug conjugates to enhance drug internalization while reducing off-target toxicity.

In parallel, the role of modern immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies such as CAR-T cells, is discussed with respect to their synergistic potential when combined with targeted drug-delivery systems. Additionally, emerging RNA- and gene-based therapies provide new avenues to modulate tumor biology and reverse treatment resistance.

Collectively, integrating receptor-targeted nanomedicine with immunotherapeutic strategies could pave the way for personalized treatment regimens that improve therapeutic outcomes and survival in patients with gallbladder cancer.