Cancer Treatment Using Nanofibers: A Review

Muhammad Qamar Khan*, Muhammad Abbas Alvi, Hafiza Hifza Nawaz, Muhammad Umar*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Currently, the number of patients with cancer is expanding consistently because of a low quality of life. For this reason, the therapies used to treat cancer have received a lot of consideration from specialists. Numerous anticancer medications have been utilized to treat patients with cancer. However, the immediate utilization of anticancer medicines leads to unpleasant side effects for patients and there are many restrictions to applying these treatments. A number of polymers like cellulose, chitosan, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), peptides and Poly (hydroxy alkanoate) have good properties for the treatment of cancer, but the nanofibers-based target and controlled drug delivery system produced by the co-axial electrospinning technique have extraordinary properties like favorable mechanical characteristics, an excellent release profile, a high surface area, and a high sponginess and are harmless, bio-renewable, biofriendly, highly degradable, and can be produced very conveniently on an industrial scale. Thus, nanofibers produced through coaxial electrospinning can be designed to target specific cancer cells or tissues. By modifying the composition and properties of the nanofibers, researchers can control the release kinetics of the therapeutic agent and enhance its accumulation at the tumor site while minimizing systemic toxicity. The core–shell structure of coaxial electrospun nanofibers allows for a controlled and sustained release of therapeutic agents over time. This controlled release profile can improve the efficacy of cancer treatment by maintaining therapeutic drug concentrations within the tumor microenvironment for an extended period.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1305
JournalNanomaterials
Volume14
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Biocompatible polymer
  • cancer treatment
  • coaxial electrospinning
  • controlled drug delivery
  • nanofiber

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Henry Royce Institute

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