Challenges in drug delivery to the tumors—nanoparticles in medicine

Nanotechnology is a relatively young field of science that has found wide application in medicine, especially in oncology. It focuses on studying molecules at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic solutions. Thanks to research in this field, it has become possible to introduce nanoparticles (NPs) into therapy, specially designed molecules that release the drug in a precisely defined place. This approach allows for maintaining the appropriate therapeutic concentration of the drug substance in the body for a longer period of time. The use of NPs in the treatment of cancer diseases helps to overcome the limitations of traditional chemotherapy, such as systemic, toxic effects of drugs, lack of specificity towards cancer cells, and limited bioavailability. NPs can be used not only as drug carriers, but also as contrast agents enabling imaging at the molecular level. More accurate visualization of diseased tissues is possible thanks to the small size of NPs, optical properties, and the ability to accumulate in the tumor area. Additionally, the use of specific ligands allows detection of pathological changes at the cellular level, allowing for earlier detection of changes, which in turn increases the probability of complete recovery of the patient.