Latest Achievements in the Development of Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems of Pt Drugs and Prodrugs in Cancer Therapy.

Even though Pt(II)-based drugs represent the standard in cancer therapy, their use is seriously limited by severe side-effects (renal toxicity, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhage and hearing loss), drug resistance and a grim prognosis. This review presents the results of multiple studies showing different nanoparticle-based platforms as delivery agents in order to overcome these drawbacks. The approach of using nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems of Pt drugs and prodrugs is promising due to key advantages like specific targeting and thereby reduced toxicity to healthy cells; increased stability in the bloodstream; multiple mechanisms of action such as stimulating anti-tumor immunity, responding to environmental stimuli (light, pH, etc.), or penetrating deeper into tissues; enhanced efficacy by their combination with other therapies (chemotherapy, gene therapy) to amplify the anti-tumor effect. However, certain challenges need to be overcome before these solutions can be widely applied in clinics. These include issues related to biocompatibility, large-scale production, and regulatory approvals. In conclusion, using nanoparticles to deliver Pt-based drugs represents an advanced and highly promising strategy to make chemotherapy more effective and less toxic. Nonetheless, further studies are required for the better understanding of intracellular mechanisms of action, toxicity and the pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles, and physical-chemical standardization.