The role of nanotechnology in skin cancer therapy

Abstract

The escalating global burden of melanoma and non-melanoma skin malignancies necessitates advanced treatment strategies beyond conventional modalities. Current interventions, including wide local excision and systemic chemotherapy, frequently demonstrate suboptimal therapeutic indices characterized by non-specific cytotoxicity and frequent disease recurrence. Recent advances in nanoscale engineering have yielded multifunctional platforms employing metallic (Au, Ag) and ceramic (ZnO, SiO₂) nanoparticles that address these limitations through: (i) enhanced epidermal permeability and retention, (ii) spatiotemporal control of drug release.

Particularly noteworthy are tumor-targeted formulations such as RGD-conjugated TiO₂ nanoparticles and cetuximab-functionalized liposomes, which demonstrate >50% improvement in tumor regression compared to conventional therapies in preclinical models. However, translational implementation confronts substantial barriers, including batch-to-batch variability in nanomanufacturing and undefined long-term biodistribution profiles. Emerging paradigms integrating CRISPR-based gene editing with stimuli-responsive nanocarriers present novel opportunities for personalized oncodermatology. This comprehensive analysis aims to delineate critical pathways for clinical adoption of nanotherapeutic interventions in cutaneous oncology.