Oral Delivery of Anticancer Agents Using Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery System

摘要

Background: Conventionally, anti-cancer agents were administered through the intravenous route. The major drawbacks associated with the intravenous route of administration are: severe side effects, need of hospitalization, nursing care, and palliative treatment. In order to overcome the drawbacks associated with the intravenous route of administration, oral delivery of anti-cancer agents has gained tremendous interest among the scientific fraternity. Oral delivery of anti-cancer agents principally leads to a reduction in the overall cost of treatment, and aids in improving the quality of life of patients. Bioavailability of drugs and inter-subject variability are the major concerns with oral administration of anti-cancer agents. Factors viz. physicochemical and biological barriers (pre-systemic metabolism and transmembrane efflux of the drug) are accountable for hampering oral bioavailability of anti-cancer agents can be efficiently overcome by employing nanocarrier based drug delivery systems. Oral delivery of anticancer agents by employing these drug delivery systems will not only improve the quality of life of patients but will also provide pharmacoeconomic advantage and lead to a reduction in the overall cost of treatment of life-threatening disease like cancer.