ADVANCED TARGETED THERAPIES FOR EFFECTIVE BREAST CANCER DRUG DELIVERY

Rutik Jayram Nanaware*, Pranita Suresh Kumbhar, Ritesh Shinde, Pranvraj Bhosale, Apurva Baraskar and Chavan Akansha

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women, accounting for approximately 30% of all female cancer cases globally. Over recent decades, advances in screening protocols and therapeutic strategies—including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy—have contributed to a notable decline in breast cancer mortality. Despite chemotherapy being one of the primary treatment options, its adverse side effects continue to impact patients’ long-term health. Therefore, there is a growing need for more selective and efficient therapeutic approaches that minimize harm to normal cells while effectively targeting cancerous tissues. In response, significant research has been devoted to the development of targeted drug delivery systems for breast cancer. This review explores recent advancements in this field, focusing on various delivery platforms that enhance the localization and efficacy of anti-cancer agents within tumor environments. These platforms include anticancer compounds modified with molecular recognition elements, cancer-tropic stem cells, nanoparticle-based formulations, and bioactive peptides. Special attention is given to recent patents and emerging strategies, particularly those aimed at treating triple-negative breast cancer-a subtype that remains difficult to manage with conventional therapies.