Advanced Applications of Phytosomes in Cancer Therapy: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, accounting for millions of deaths annually despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. Conventional cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, are often limited by severe side effects, poor bioavailability of therapeutic agents, and non-specific targeting, which can lead to suboptimal outcomes. Natural phytochemicals derived from plants, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have shown immense potential in cancer prevention and treatment due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. However, their clinical utility is hampered by inherent drawbacks such as low water solubility, rapid metabolism, and limited bioavailability. Phytosomes, an advanced drug delivery system, have emerged as a revolutionary approach to overcome these limitations. By forming complexes of plant bioactive compounds with phospholipids, phytosomes significantly enhance the absorption, stability, and therapeutic efficacy of these compounds. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of phytosomes in cancer therapy, focusing on their ability to improve the pharmacokinetic profiles of phytochemicals and enable targeted delivery to tumor sites. The integration of phytosomes with cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology, personalized medicine, and combination therapies holds immense promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment. By bridging the gap between traditional phytochemical therapy and modern drug delivery systems, phytosomes represent a paradigm shift toward more effective, safer, and patient-friendly cancer treatments. This review aims to inspire further research and innovation in this rapidly evolving field, paving the way for the next generation of cancer therapeutics.