Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Cancer Therapy

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as transformative platforms for the management of oral squamous cell carcinoma, offering precise targeting of malignant tissues while minimising systemic toxicity. These systems harness nano-scale carriers—such as liposomes, polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles, hydrogels and exosomes—to enhance drug solubility, stability and controlled release. By decorating particle surfaces with tumour-homing ligands or stimuli-responsive moieties, these carriers traverse the oral mucosa, accumulate preferentially in neoplastic sites and release therapeutic payloads in response to local pH, enzymatic activity or temperature. Such approaches facilitate high intratumoural concentrations of cytotoxic agents, radiosensitisers or gene therapies, reduce off-target effects, and enable combination regimens within a single platform. Innovations in mucoadhesive formulations and transmucosal delivery address the challenges of drug retention in the oral cavity, while biodegradable polymers ensure biocompatibility and predictable elimination. Collectively, these advances have reshaped the therapeutic landscape for oral cancer, promising improved clinical outcomes, enhanced patient quality of life and the potential for outpatient or topical administration.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A nanoengineered topical cisplatin delivery system has been developed comprising chitosan-based nanoparticles designed for transmucosal application to oral lesions. This platform achieves high local drug retention within the tumour and lymphatic channels while virtually eliminating systemic exposure. Preclinical models demonstrated potent antitumour responses and complete regression of premalignant lesions, and a subsequent phase 1/2 clinical trial reported over 87 % overall response with a mean 69 % tumour volume reduction within seven days and no dose-limiting toxicity. The ease of application and rapid efficacy suggest integration with existing surgical and radiotherapeutic protocols could significantly improve local control and reduce adverse effects associated with systemic platinum therapy.

Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Cancer Therapy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for oral cancer therapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanocarrier: A sub-micrometre vehicle engineered to encapsulate and transport therapeutic agents to specific tissues.

Polymeric nanoparticle: A nanoscale assembly of biocompatible polymers designed for controlled drug loading and release.

Liposome: A vesicular carrier with one or more phospholipid bilayers capable of encapsulating hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules.

Stimuli-responsive system: A delivery platform that releases its payload in response to environmental triggers such as pH, enzymes or temperature.

Transmucosal delivery: Administration of a drug across a mucosal membrane to achieve localized or systemic effect.

Chitosan nanoparticle: A biodegradable, mucoadhesive carrier derived from deacetylated chitin, used to enhance drug retention in mucosal tissues.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC): A malignant tumour originating from the squamous epithelium of the oral cavity.

References

1. A nanoengineered topical transmucosal cisplatin delivery system induces anti-tumor response in animal models and patients with oral cancer. Nature Communications (2022).
2. Controlled Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Cancer Treatment—Current Status and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics (2019).
3. Current Trends of Targeted Drug Delivery for Oral Cancer Therapy. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2020).
4. A cell-targeted chemotherapeutic nanomedicine strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma therapy. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2015).