| DOI: 10.29090/psa.2026.03.26.10817 | Pharm Sci Asia 2026; 53(3), 247-264 |
Customized multifunctional nanocarriers for cancer therapy: Integrating targeting, imaging, and combination treatment for diverse patient needsDevesh U Kapoor1, Anil Pareek2, Jigal Hirawala3, Bhupendra G Prajapati4,5*, Kasitpong Thanawuth6, Pornsak Sriamornsak7,8,9*
1 Dr. Dayaram Patel Pharmacy College, Bardoli 394601, India
2 Department of Pharmaceutics, Anand Pharmacy College, Anand, Gujarat 388001, India
3 Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. Chunibhai Vallabhbhai Patel College of Pharmacy, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Gujarat 394350, India
4 Department of Pharmaceutics, Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat 391760, India
5 Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab 140401, India
6 College of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
7 Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
8 Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
9 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India
Multifunctional nanocarriers have emerged as a transformative approach in cancer therapy by overcoming traditional limitations such as systemic toxicity, poor tumor selectivity, and multidrug resistance. This review highlights recent advances in the design and application of customizable nanocarrier systems that integrate targeting, imaging, and combination drug delivery for more personalized and population-specific treatments. We examine major nanocarrier platforms, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid systems, with particular emphasis on their tunable physicochemical properties and modular architectures that facilitate adaptation to diverse patient populations, including elderly patients and those with treatment-resistant conditions. Functionalization strategies, such as ligand-mediated targeting and stimuli-responsive release, are discussed in the context of improving site-specific delivery and minimizing off-target effects. The integration of imaging agents enables theranostic functionality for real-time treatment monitoring. We also explore co-delivery systems for synergistic therapies combining chemotherapy, immunomodulation, and phototherapy. Clinical progress, regulatory challenges, and future trends including AI-driven design and bioinspired materials are discussed. This review underscores the pivotal role of multifunctional nanocarriers in advancing precision and inclusive oncology.
Keyword:
Multifunctional nanocarriers; Cancer therapy; Targeted drug delivery; Theranostics; Co-delivery systems; Personalized nanomedicine; Stimuli-responsive systems
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