Current advances in drug delivery systems for treatment of Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer, the most malignant and aggressive form of breast cancer, is accompanied with poor prognosis in patients. Characterized by the absence of expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, TNBC cells are unresponsive to hormonal therapy. With only cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs as an established treatment option, tumor-targeted delivery of drugs becomes an important parameter to prevent or attenuate chemotherapy-associated side effects and toxicity in TNBC patients. Despite the current advances in TNBC-targeting drug delivery systems (TNBC-TDDS), the treatment outcome remains relatively low. These systems face challenges of drug instability and decreased drug-loading potential. In addition, further investigations are required to address formulations, route of administration, frequency of disease recurrence and non-target side effects, apart from cutting down the cost of development. This concise review summarizes the most recent findings in the field of TNBC-TDDS and highlights the future directions and research perspectives.