Targeted nanocarriers for lung cancer therapy: lipids for pulmonary drug delivery

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The lung cancer treatment strategy includes surgery, high doses of intravenous chemotherapeutic medications, radiation therapy, etc. Chemotherapy, as one of the most essential treatment methods, can increase a patient’s survival rate. However, there are serious side effects, systemic toxicity, and poor selectivity associated with the use of chemotherapeutic agents. A combination of nanotechnology and delivery systems has been used as a novel approach to developing cancer therapies, and its global profile is widely growing. Hence, among various nanocarriers, lipid-based nano-delivery systems could potentially circumvent these issues due to their unique properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lipid-based nanocarriers for lung cancer therapy by considering a targeted approach. Due to its characteristics, including its small diameter, low toxicity, high biocompatibility, hybrid structure, ability to provide controlled and sustained release, etc., which are mentioned in this research, it could be used by lung cancer sufferers owing to its efficacy and lack of severe side effects because of its targeted function.