Progress in Nanocarriers-Based Approaches for the Delivery of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Bone Cancer: Trends and Prospects

Abstract

Bone cancer remains a life-threatening malignancy predominantly affecting pediatric and adolescent populations, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) emerging as promising therapeutic agents; however, their clinical utility is limited by poor bioavailability, systemic toxicity, and inadequate tumor targeting. Recent advancements in nanocarrier-based delivery systems have significantly mitigated these limitations by enhancing targeted accumulation of TKIs at tumor sites, reducing off-target effects, and enabling controlled drug release. Various nanocarrier platforms, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, dendrimers, metal- and metal oxide-based nanoparticles, carbon-based carriers, polymeric implants, and hydroxyapatite-based systems, have been systematically evaluated for their efficacy in delivering TKIs for bone cancer therapy. This review further examines the impact of nanoparticle size on cellular uptake and tumor penetration, with emphasis on liposomal and proteinaceous carriers (albumin-bound and transferrin-conjugated nanoparticles) that optimize tumor selectivity while minimizing systemic toxicity. Inorganic nanocarriers such as gold, silver, and metal oxides also demonstrate potential for multimodal therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Notwithstanding these advances, challenges including drug resistance, toxicity, and regulatory barriers remain, necessitating ongoing efforts to optimize nanocarrier formulations. This comprehensive review provides critical insights into the evolving landscape of nanotechnology-driven TKI delivery strategies aimed at enhancing therapeutic outcomes in bone cancer management.