Nanoparticle-based drug delivery for precision lung cancer therapy: Tumor microenvironment modulation and theranostic applications.
Lung cancer still remains a serious global public health problem, with high mortality rates mainly due to late diagnosis, tumor metastasis and the intrinsic constraints of classical treatment strategies (chemotherapy/radiotherapy). Systemic toxicity, lack of tumor specificity and poor penetration into tumors as well as expression of multidrug resistance are problems encountered with conventional strategies. Nanomedicine and nanotechnology have provided an avenue to address these considerable challenges, bringing new approaches towards early diagnosis, site-specific drug delivery and improved therapeutic efficacy. Precision nanomedicine aspirations Developing therapy specific for individual patients in terms of their own genomic and proteomic susceptibilities. Here, we provide an up-to-date summary of the use of nanomaterials in lung cancer therapy by categorising various types of nanocarriers (e.g., lipid-based, polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles), discussing their mechanisms for circumventing physiological barriers and emphasizing their role in the development of next-generation therapies, especially immunotherapy and molecular diagnostics (theranostics). We also address current hurdles for clinical translation, manufacturability scalability, nanotoxicity and the importance of strong regulatory supervision. Current progresses in the field of nanotechnology are literally changing the face of lung cancer therapy and presents valuable opportunity to improve patient survival and quality life.