Current trends in silica based drug delivery systems

Traditional drug delivery systems have fallen short in addressing the complex medical and therapeutic needs of patients, necessitating the development of more efficient alternatives. These novel systems aim to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Advances in drug delivery technology have significantly improved drug loading and release, administration methods, pharmacological profiles, and the creation of innovative drug formulations. This review delves into current methodologies employed in silica-based targeted drug delivery systems. After examining the structure and properties of various silicas, we focus on mesoporous nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery, exploring existing approaches and addressing critical concerns such as silica safety and biodegradability. Additionally, this review provides a brief overview of bioassays, cell tracking, and tumor-specific targeting strategies. • Silica Based Drug Delivery Systems as a promising agent to conventional therapies in cancer research. • These new systems can both increase treatment efficiency and minimize its side effects. • Bio-sensing, cell tracking and tumor specific targeting were also briefly reviewed.