Advances in Nanoparticle-Driven Drug Delivery for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy: A Literature Review.

Abstract

Background:

Breast cancer (BC) continues to be one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers affecting women, with current treatment modalities often leading to severe systemic side effects and reduced quality of life. Nanomedicine has emerged as a revolutionary approach to overcome these challenges by enabling targeted drug delivery, improving therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This review focuses on recent advancements in nanoparticle-based strategies for breast cancer treatment and theranostics.

Methodology:

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, incorporating MeSH terms and Boolean operators related to nanomedicine, cancer, therapeutics, and drug delivery systems. The search was restricted to English-language original research articles published between January 2022 and January 2025. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 articles were selected for qualitative synthesis. These were analyzed for recurring themes and categorized accordingly.

Results:

The selected studies revealed a diverse range of nanoparticle designs and functions. Major themes included theranostic nanoparticles, nanoparticles that enhance existing chemotherapies such as DOX, light- and pH-responsive delivery systems, the inclusion of metallic elements (e.g., iron, gold, copper) to improve cytotoxicity, and the incorporation of biocompatible coatings to reduce immune rejection. Many nanoparticles also employed receptor-mediated targeting to improve tumor specificity and reduce off-target toxicity. Lastly, the models utilized for research in each study were assessed.

Conclusion:

Nanomedicine offers a transformative approach to breast cancer therapy by increasing precision and reducing systemic side effects. However, further in vivo studies, long-term safety evaluations, and scalable manufacturing solutions are essential for clinical translation.