Saima Altaf 1, Qandeel Fatima 1, Bisma 2, Anoosha Ramzan 1, Memona Sarwar 3, Bano Rani 2, Rabia Tabassum 1 and Zainab Bibi 1*
1Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan; 2Department of Computer Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan; 3Department of Biotechnology, Riphah International University, Faisalabad 44000, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: 2019ag7037@uaf.edu.pk
Precision oncology aims to provide personalized cancer treatment to maximize efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have the drawbacks of lacking specificity in their toxicity, tumor selectivity, and resistance. Tailored nanoparticles (NPs) have demonstrated outstanding potential to remove such barriers by infiltrating tumors selectively, releasing their cargo in a controlled manner, and by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review summarizes recent advancements in NPs engineering, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid carriers, as well as surface conjugations and stimuli-responsive designs that can improve targeting specificity. The complex interactions of NPs with the TME have been outlined, and strategies to address the adverse effects of hypoxia, acidity, enzyme activity, and extracellular barriers are discussed. Applications to targeted chemotherapy, gene and RNA therapeutics, photothermal and photodynamic therapies, immunotherapy, and theranostics are discussed in animals and humans, along with preclinical and clinical translation successes. Challenges and considerations towards successful translation into clinical practice are outlined. Overall, tailored NP-based therapy is highly encouraging for reengineering cancer treatment with precision, efficacy, and versatility in the era of next-generation oncology.