Transdermal Drug Delivery in Oncology Charting the Road Ahead

Transdermal drug administration is a method of administering medication through the skin that is non-intrusive, offering an innovative and hopeful alternative to traditional oral and injection methods. Advancements in skin penetration technology have enabled the transdermal administration of various anticancer medications, including lipophilic or hydrophilic compounds, offering a new approach to cancer treatment. Research has explored innovative platforms for cancer treatment, such as erythrocytes, vesicles, and exosomes. The most efficient approach is the transdermal drug delivery system. This review investigates various transdermal delivery techniques beyond the pharmaceutical sector in relation to cancer treatment. Techniques include iontophoresis, electroporation, sonophoresis, microneedles, transdermal patches, or vesicular systems like liposomes, niosomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, transethosomes, nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, as well as nanofibers, which have been used to improve transdermal distribution and their use in cancer treatment. Additionally, a roadmap is presented to guide development strategies, highlighting the multiple applications of transdermal drug administration systems for cancer therapy.