Nano-scale drug delivery systems for carboplatin: A comprehensive review

Carboplatin (CRBP) is a chemotherapeutic agent based on platinum that has applications in the effective management of ovarian, testis, cervical, neck, head, and small cell lung cancer. CRBP prevents duplication and transcription by binding to the DNA of tumor cells to inhibit the growth and division of cancer cells. CRBP has some limitations such as destroying normal cells alongside cancer cells and being poor at uptake by the cells, leading to the need for high doses, which has prompted significant attention to develop a targeted and localized delivery system that is effective for this anticancer drug. It is common to use CRBP in drug combination therapy. However, there are some disadvantages that could be overcome with nanoparticulate systems. Nano-engineered delivery systems can be an efficient approach to enhancing the cellular uptake and accumulation of CRBP, leading to improving the therapeutic potential with negligible toxicity. CRBP has been encapsulated into various nano-delivery systems, including polymer-based nanocarriers and micelles, protein nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles (liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles), silica-based nanostructures, carbon nanoparticles and etc. Moreover, there is growing interest in stimuli-responsive delivery systems for cancer-targeted delivery using modes such as induced temperature changes, electric/magnetic fields, pH, ultrasound waves, light, and laser. Cancer targeting by drug delivery systems, owing to their selective targeting, efficacy, biocompatibility and high drug payload, provides an attractive alternative treatment; however, there are technical, therapeutic, manufacturing and clinical barriers that limit their use. In this regard, the need for robust analytical methods to determine biodistribution, PK and PD profile of liposomes was highlighted in addition to a critical gap between efficient preclinical to clinical efficacy predictive modeling. Systems with the ability of co-delivery also could be useful to decrease drug toxicity on healthy tissues and improve the bioavailability of CRBP.