NANOMEDICINE IN ONCOLOGY: ADVANCES IN TUMOR-TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY AND IMAGING

Andugula Rajeshwari*, P. Naga Haritha and K. Venu Madhav

Nanomedicine has made significant strides in oncology, offering novel solutions for targeted drug delivery and cancer imaging. This review discusses the advances in nanotechnology-based strategies for tumor-targeted therapies, focusing on passive and active targeting mechanisms, such as the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, and ligand-receptor-mediated endocytosis. The review also explores the use of nanomaterials like liposomes, quantum dots, and polymeric nanoparticles in drug delivery, as well as their role in enhancing imaging modalities like PET, MRI, and CT. Advances in stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have allowed for improved drug delivery systems that address conventional therapy limitations, including poor solubility, rapid drug elimination, and systemic toxicity. Despite these advancements, regulatory, safety, and manufacturing challenges remain, necessitating further innovation to translate these technologies into widespread clinical use.