Intraductal Drug Delivery Strategies for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer often arises within the ductal network of the mammary gland, notably at the terminal ductal lobular units (TDLUs). Intraductal delivery targets these initial lesions by administering therapeutic agents directly into the ductal lumen, thereby concentrating drug exposure at the site of neoplastic transformation while reducing systemic distribution and associated toxicity. This approach is particularly suited to ductal carcinoma in situ and early invasive disease, as it permits high local drug concentrations, sustained retention through polymeric or lipid-based vehicles and the possibility of repeated administration without extensive surgical intervention. Strategies range from bioadhesive nanoemulsions that prolong residence time in mammary tissue to temperature-responsive nanoparticles that release payloads upon warming to body temperature. Emerging image-guided techniques further enable precise catheterisation of individual ducts and real-time monitoring of distribution. By harnessing advances in materials science, imaging and precision delivery, intraductal therapy holds promise both for primary prevention in high-risk individuals and for adjuvant treatment to reduce recurrence, with potential to transform the standard of care for patients with early breast neoplasia.

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Intraductal Drug Delivery Strategies for Breast Cancer Treatment publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in intraductal drug delivery strategies for breast cancer treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Intraductal administration: Direct delivery of therapeutic agents into the mammary ducts to localise treatment and limit systemic exposure.

Terminal ductal lobular unit (TDLU): The smallest functional unit of the breast where most carcinomas originate, consisting of terminal ducts and acini.

Nanoemulsion: A colloidal dispersion of oil and water stabilised by surfactants, designed for controlled drug release at the delivery site.

Nanocarrier: A nanoscale vehicle such as polymeric or lipid-based particles engineered to transport drugs and enhance target specificity and retention.

Thermosensitive polymer: A material that undergoes a reversible phase transition in response to temperature changes, employed to control drug release in situ.

References

1. Multifunctional nanoemulsions for intraductal delivery as a new platform for local treatment of breast cancer. Drug Delivery (2018).
2. Thermosensitive Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Co-Encapsulation and Breast Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics (2024).
3. Collagen-Binding Nanoparticles for Paclitaxel Encapsulation and Breast Cancer Treatment. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (2023).
4. Tantalum oxide nanoparticles as versatile and high-resolution X-ray contrast agent for intraductal image-guided ablative procedure in rodent models of breast cancer. npj Imaging (2024).