Targeted Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery in Breast, Lung, and Pancreatic Cancers: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Translational Studies (2018–2025)

Dr. Swati Fulmali ^1*, Dr. Sourabh Fulmali ², Dr. Avadhut Dhange ³

^1*Assistant Professor, MD, Department of Pharmacology, Neelima Institute of Medical Sciences, Anurag University, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500088, India.
Email: negiswati591@gmail.com

²Assistant Professor, MD, Department of Physiology, Ramkrishna Medical College and Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Email: drsourabh28@yahoo.com

³Assistant Professor, MS, Mch (Oncosurgeon), Department of General Surgery, Dr VM Medical College, Solapur, Maharashtra, India.
Email: nswati32@yahoo.com

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Swati Fulmali, Assistant Professor, MD, Department of Pharmacology, Neelima Institute of Medical Sciences, Anurag University, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500088, India. Email: negiswati591@gmail.com

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ABSTRACT

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and translational landscape of targeted nanocarriers in breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers (2018–2025), focusing on improving pharmacokinetics (PK) and addressing physiological barriers.

Materials and Methods: We conducted this systematic review by following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We limited our search to human clinical trials (Phase 1–3) and high-impact translational data published between January 2018 and December 2025.

Results: Significant variation in pharmacological success was dependent on type of malignancy. We saw-

1. High success rate in breast cancer with median progression-free survival of 9.7 months for Sacituzumab govitecan in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer due to highly leaky vasculature and a strong Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect.
2. Moderate success for lung cancer which requires inhalable nanocarriers with aerodynamic diameters of 1-5 micrometres to enter heterogeneous vasculature.
3. "Low success" for pancreatic cancer as it remains a challenge due to the dense desmoplastic stroma. But the 2024 FDA approval of NALIRIFOX was a major breakthrough due to the stroma-penetrating effect of this combination delivery. [8-10, 14]

But we identified an "EPR Paradox" where approximately only 0.7% of administered doses reached the tumour in humans despite preclinical success.

Conclusion: Targeted nanomedicine is now moving towards "active", stimuli-responsive drug delivery and thus bridging the gap from research to practical application by using AI-driven design and by customising treatment plan. [10, 11, 16-18]

Keywords: Nanocarriers, Pharmacokinetics, EPR Effect, Breast Cancer, Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, NALIRIFOX.

How to cite this article: Fulmali S, Fulmali S, Dhange A. Targeted nanocarrier-based drug delivery in breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers: a systematic review of clinical and translational studies (2018–2025). Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(7s): 41-49; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.7s.7

Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: None