Drug Delivery Approaches for Doxorubicin in the Management of Cancers

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to review the drug delivery approaches including a novel drug delivery system of doxorubicin as an important anticancer drug. Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used against breast, uterine, ovarian, lung and cervical cancer. It is listed among the essential medicines by WHO and is thus a very important drug that can be used to fight against cancer. Despite its effectiveness, the use of the drug is limited due to its dose-dependent toxicity. Several studies based on the DOX have suggested the need for novel drug delivery formulations in the treatment of malignant and cancerous diseases due to its cytotoxic nature. Objectives: This review focuses on the different formulations of DOX which is a useful drug in the management of cancers, but associated with toxicity thus these approaches found applicability in the reduction of its toxicity. Methods: We searched the scientific database using cancer, DOX, and different formulations as the keywords. Here in only peer-reviewed research articles collected which were useful to our current work. Results: This study is based on an examination of the recent advancements of its novel drug delivery formulations. DOX hydrochloride is the first liposomal anticancer drug, administered via the intravenous route, and also clinically approved for the treatment of lymphomas, leukemias, and solid tumors. DOX is prepared into a liposomal formulation that contains polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer around DOX containing liposome made by pegylation process. DOX also formulated in nano-formulations which is also discussed herein led to reduced toxicity and increased efficacy. Conclusion: In the review, we described the significance of DOX in the form of different delivery approaches in the management of cancers with a reduction in the associated toxicity.