Beyond the adverse effects of the systemic route: Exploiting nanocarriers for the topical treatment of skin cancers

Abstract

Skin cancer is a heterogeneous disease that can be divided into two main groups, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Conventional therapies for skin cancer have numerous systemic side effects and a high recurrence rate. Topical treatment is an alternative approach, but drug permeability remains a challenge. Therefore, nanocarriers appear as important nanotechnology tools that reduces both the side effects and improves clinical outcomes. This is why they are attracting growing interest. In this review, scientific articles on the use of nanocarriers for the topical treatment of skin cancer were collected. Despite the promising results of the presented nanocarriers and considering that some of them are already on the market, there is an urgent need for investment in the development of manufacturing methods, as well as of suitable toxicological and regulatory evaluations, since the conventional methods currently used to develop these nanocarriers-based products are more time-consuming and expensive than conventional products.