Targeted Nano therapeutics in Oncology: Clinical Outcomes, Safety, and Translational Progress

Abstract

Background: Nanotherapeutics have emerged as a transformative approach in oncology, addressing the limitations of conventional chemotherapy through precise drug delivery and reduced systemic toxicity. Over the past five years, rapid advancements in clinical trials have accelerated the translation of nanomedicine into cancer care.Objective: This systematic review evaluates global clinical trial data (2019–2024) on targeted nanotherapeutics across major cancers, emphasizing efficacy outcomes, safety profiles, and translational progress.Methods: A comprehensive literature and clinical trial database search was conducted (PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) for phase I–III studies involving liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, and micelles in breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. Eligible studies were assessed for design, endpoints, and outcomes following PRISMA guidelines.Results: Clinical trials demonstrated consistent improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) across cancer subtypes, with breast and lung cancers showing the most pronounced benefits. Liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles dominated late-phase evaluations, while dendrimers and metallic nanoparticles showed early-phase promise. Nanotherapeutics significantly reduced grade 3/4 toxicities compared with conventional chemotherapy, with unique but manageable adverse events such as infusion reactions and rare complement activation. Regulatory approvals between 2019 and 2024 validated the clinical utility of several platforms, though challenges in scalability, regulatory harmonization, and trial standardization remain.