Current Trends and Challenges in Pharmacoeconomic Aspects of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Nanotherapy is a part of nanomedicine that involves nanoparticles as carriers to deliver drugs to target locations. This novel targeting approach has been found to resolve various problems, especially those associated with cancer treatment. In nanotherapy, the carrier plays a crucial role in handling many of the existing challenges, including drug protection before early-stage degradations of active substances, allowing them to reach targeted cells and overcome cell resistance mechanisms. The present review comprises the following sections: the first part presents the introduction of pharmacoeconomics as a branch of healthcare economics, the second part covers various beneficial aspects of the use of nanocarriers for in vitro, in vivo, and pre- and clinical studies, as well as discussion on drug resistance problem and present solutions to overcome it. In the third part, progress in drug manufacturing and optimization of the process of nanoparticle synthesis were discussed. Finally, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of nanoformulations due to up-to-date studies were summarized. In this review, the most recent developments in the field of nanotechnology’s economic impact, particularly beneficial applications in medicine were presented. Primarily focus on cancer treatment, but also discussion on other fields of application, which are strongly associated with cancer epidemiology and treatment, was made. In addition, the current limitations of nanomedicine and its huge potential to improve and develop the health care system were presented.

Smart Multifunctional UiO-66 Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticles with Outstanding Drug-Loading/Release Potential for the Targeted Delivery of Quercetin

“…Moreover, biomedical agents should be effectively eliminated from the body to reduce the level of nanoparticle accumulation in targeted cells, tissues, or organs. Hence, nanocarriers need to be moderately stable to make them more degradable and clearable, resulting in a lower bioaccumulation and a favorable risk–benefit ratio . The stability of QU@UiO-66-R (R = −H, −NH 2 , and −NO 2 ) samples in PBS at pH = 5.0 at 37 °C was investigated (Figures S14–S16 in the SI).…”

“…Hence, nanocarriers need to be moderately stable to make them more degradable and clearable, resulting in a lower bioaccumulation and a favorable risk− benefit ratio. 108 The stability of QU@UiO inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. This obviously revealed that the viability of the cells after 48 h of treatment decreased with increasing concentration (Figure 7).…”

Anticancer effect of selenium/chitosan/polyethylene glycol/allyl isothiocyanate nanocomposites against diethylnitrosamine-induced liver cancer in rats

“…Recently, nano-drug formulations have frequently been studied in amalgamation with natural products to minimize the toxicity. Consequently, consuming green nano-formulations for drug delivery systems can increase the therapeutic property and minimize the adverse effects of the drugs ( Milewska et al, 2021 , Tan et al, 2014 ).…”

pH-Responsive Nanoparticles for Delivery of Paclitaxel to the Injury Site for Inhibiting Vascular Restenosis

“…PEG-coated NPs not only avoid plasma protein adsorption, but also minimize interactions with phagocytes and increase blood circulation time [ 34 , 35 ]. This new specific drug delivery method has greater advantages than traditional intravenous or oral delivery, such as the controlled release of drugs, better targeting ability, improved bioavailability of drugs, and reduced damage to normal tissues [ 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”