Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin as a Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent

Cancer is the world's fifth-most significant cause of related death and the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women and men. Some of its types, like brain cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer, are threatened and considered fatal. These cancers are more prevalent in developed and underdeveloped countries. Still, doxorubicin is considered a gold standard drug and the only molecule used in multiple types of cancer. However, the toxicity and biopharmaceutical hindrances like poor solubility, poor permeability, and high in vivo fate of drug cause low systematic circulation. The creation of a multifunctional nanocarrier for targeted medication delivery that can transport and accumulate drugs at cancer sites should help to lessen the likelihood of side effects. These nanocarriers improve the targetability of infected tissue and the therapeutic circulation of drugs. Hence, the present review focused on the improved targetability of doxorubicin using different nanocarriers and its possible outcomes in different types of cancer. Moreover, the prior art also discussed various challenges and prospects of improved doxorubicin delivery and its therapeutic outcomes.

Automated summary

Cancer is a major cause of death globally, particularly brain cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer which are considered fatal. Doxorubicin is a commonly used drug for various types of cancer, but its effectiveness is hindered by poor solubility, permeability, and in vivo fate. A multifunctional nanocarrier could improve drug delivery and reduce side effects by targeting cancer sites. This review focuses on enhancing the targetability of doxorubicin using nanocarriers and discusses the challenges and prospects for improved drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes.