Calixarene in Chemotherapy Drug Delivery: Its Role and Strategies

Cancer is a highly perilous disease that can be fatal. While chemotherapy has been introduced as a treatment for cancer, it often comes with side effects and toxicities, making it less effective against cancer cells. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on innovative drug delivery systems to enhance the effectiveness and selectivity of chemotherapeutic drugs. In this context, researchers have developed a novel delivery system involving calixarene, which allows for lower drug concentrations and reduces side effects and toxicities. Calixarene and its derivatives are capable of encapsulating anticancer drugs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy. This approach improves the bioavailability, stability, solubility, and potency of the drug at its target site. This review provides a summary of recent research in the field of calixarene-based drug delivery systems, aiming to increase the effectiveness of anticancer treatments. It focuses on strategies involving the encapsulation of various anticancer drugs.