Beyond traditional therapy: Mucoadhesive polymers as a new frontier in oral cancer management

In recent times mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are gaining popularity in oral cancer. It is a malignancy with high global prevalence. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutics, improving the prognosis of late-stage oral cancer remains challenging. Targeted therapy using mucoadhesive polymers can improve oral cancer patients' overall outcome by offering enhanced oral mucosa bioavailability, better drug distribution and tissue targeting, and minimizing systemic side effects. Mucoadhesive polymers can also be delivered via different formulations such as tablets, films, patches, gels, and nanoparticles. These polymers can deliver an array of medicines, making them an adaptable drug delivery approach. Drug delivery techniques based on these mucoadhesive polymers are gaining traction and have immense potential as a prospective treatment for late-stage oral cancer. This review examines leading research in mucoadhesive polymers and discusses their potential applications in treating oral cancer.

Automated summary

In recent years, mucoadhesive drug delivery systems have become increasingly popular in treating oral cancer. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutics, improving the prognosis of late-stage oral cancer remains challenging. Targeted therapy using mucoadhesive polymers can enhance oral mucosa bioavailability, improve drug distribution and tissue targeting, and minimize systemic side effects, thereby improving the overall outcome of oral cancer patients. Mucoadhesive polymers can be delivered through various formulations and offer adaptability for delivering a range of medicines. This review explores the potential applications of mucoadhesive polymers in treating oral cancer and examines recent research in this field.