Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Platinum agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin remain mainstays of cancer chemotherapy but are limited by systemic toxicity, rapid clearance and the emergence of resistance. Nanoparticle‐mediated delivery platforms have been engineered to enhance tumour selectivity, extend circulation time and achieve controlled drug release. These systems exploit the enhanced permeability and retention effect to accumulate within solid tumours and can be further functionalised with polymers, lipids or targeting ligands to achieve active uptake by cancer cells. Core–shell architectures, polymeric micelles, liposomes, metallic nanoparticles and biomimetic carriers have all been applied to encapsulate platinum drugs, reducing off‐target deposition and shielding sensitive tissues from high platinum concentrations. Advanced designs incorporate stimuli‐responsive linkers that release the active drug in response to pH, redox conditions or tumour‐associated enzymes, while novel oral formulations and immune‐modulating coatings further expand clinical applicability. Collectively, these approaches aim to improve therapeutic index, overcome glutathione‐mediated detoxification and counter platinum resistance, thereby advancing platinum‐based chemotherapy towards safer and more effective treatments.

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Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Platinum-Based Chemotherapy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems for platinum-based chemotherapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanocarrier: A nanoscale vehicle designed to transport therapeutic agents in the body.

Polymeric micelle: Self‐assembled core–shell structures formed from amphiphilic block copolymers that encapsulate hydrophobic drugs.

Core–shell nanoparticle: A particle architecture with distinct inner (core) and outer (shell) regions, enabling separation of drug payload and protective coating.

Liposome: A vesicular structure composed of lipid bilayers that can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.

Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect: The tendency of nanoparticles to accumulate in tumour tissue due to leaky vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage.

Stimuli‐responsive release: Controlled drug liberation triggered by environmental cues such as pH, redox potential or specific enzymes.

References

1. Reducing the effective dose of cisplatin using gold nanoparticles as carriers. Cancer Nanotechnology (2020).
2. Targeted Delivery of Cisplatin-Derived Nanoprecursors via a Biomimetic Yeast Microcapsule for Tumor Therapy by the Oral Route. Theranostics (2019).
3. Liposomes Loaded with Cisplatin and Magnetic Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Characterization, Pharmacokinetics, and In-Vitro Efficacy. Molecules (2018).