Advances in the Delivery of Cancer Therapeutics: A Comprehensive Review

Background: The effects of various chemotherapeutic agents have been assessed for their capacity to inhibit the cell replication in variety of cancer cases. At present there are more than hundred chemotherapeutic agents capturing worth 42 billion dollar of drug market. The major obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer is the obnoxious side effects of chemotherapeutics and multi drug resistance, which deteriorates the quality of life of cancer patient. Objective: This article attempts to summarize different novel chemotherapeutic delivery systems which aim to circumvent these unwanted effects. Areas Covered: Outcomes of different tumor directed carrier systems have been discussed with special emphasis on nanocarriers systems, drug polymer conjugation, directly implantable matrices and others. In addition, combination therapy and immunotherapy are also discussed as a revolutionary alternative. Conclusion: Even though significant contributions have been made in the development of carrier systems for the chemotherapeutic agents, merits and demerits of all the avenues should be critically examined. Potential of all novel strategies should be exploited by critically evaluating their strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. Further, clinical trials based on revised and critically scrutinized frameworks and protocols are needed so that the efficiency and safe action of these new systems can be guaranteed in cancer patients.