Avengers against cancer: A new era of nano-biomaterial-based therapeutics

Abstract: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. As the cancer burden continues to increase globally, it exerts tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals, families, communities, and health care systems. Cancer can affect any part of the body and is characterized by its uncontrollable growth. Numerous treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy which utilize various drugs, are currently in use; however, their harmful side effects and the development of drug resistance have resulted in major roadblocks when treating cancer. With advancements in synthetic and polymer chemistry, the use of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and chemotherapeutic macromolecules have garnered increasing attention in the previous decade. This review discusses the recent advancements in the use of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems as well as the development of synthetic biodegradable polypeptides and polymers for cancer treatment (both in vivo and in vitro). Additionally, we outline the potent selectivity and efficacy for immunotherapies and bacteria-based therapies that are used to treat various cancers.