Authors :
Supraja.S. A.; Santhanalakshmi V.; Dr. D. P. Sivasakti Balan; R. J. Thayumanaswamy
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/42tmzu8c
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct801
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach in modern medicine, particularly in targeted drug delivery and cancer treatment. Metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, and iron oxide nanoparticles, possess unique optical, magnetic, and chemical properties that make them useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, certain metal-based systems may face limitations, including potential toxicity, accumulation in organs, immune-system interactions, and difficulties in long-term clearance from the body. In contrast, protein-based nanoparticles, made from biocompatible materials such as albumin and gelatin, are being investigated as alternative drug-delivery systems. Their potential advantages include biodegradability, biocompatibility, and the ability to carry therapeutic substances. Nevertheless, their stability, drug-loading capacity, and effectiveness depend on their composition and design. This study aims to compare metal and protein-based nanoparticles in drug delivery by examining their mechanisms, advantages, limitations, safety concerns, and potential applications in cancer treatment. Through a review of existing scientific literature, the research seeks to understand whether protein-based nanoparticles offer meaningful advantages over metalbased and other systems and identify the challenges that must be addressed to improve the safety and effectiveness of nanomedicine. It also aims at promoting protein based nanoparticles for drug delivery in chemotherapy. The research is concluded by proposing protein-based nanoparticles as promising drug-delivery systems in cancer treatment, particularly due to their biocompatibility and ability to transport therapeutic agents.
Keywords :
Protein Nanoparticles, Cancer Treatment, Drug Delivery, Biocompatibility, Toxicity, Biodegradability, Immunogenicity, Nanotechnology, Albumin, Abraxane.
References :
- Gradishar, W. J., et al. (2005). Phase III trial of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel compared with polyethylated castor oil-based paclitaxel in women with breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 23(31), 7768–7771. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2005.08.002
- Zha, X., et al. (2022). Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel is superior to liposomal paclitaxel in the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Nanomedicine. https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2022-0025
- Hong, S., Choi, D. W., Kim, H. N., Park, C. G., Lee, W., & Park, H. H. (2020). Protein-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems. Pharmaceutics, 12(7), 604. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12070604
- Qu, N., Song, K., Ji, Y., & Liu, M. (2024). Albumin nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 19, 6945–6980. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S467876
- Srivastava, A., & Prajapati, A. (2020). Albumin and functionalized albumin nanoparticles: Production strategies, characterization, and target indications. Asian Biomedicine, 14(6), 217–242. https://doi.org/10.1515/abm-2020-0032
- Samad, M. A., Ahmad, I., Zughaibi, T. A., Suhail, M., Zaidi, S. K., Al-Abbasi, F. A., & Tabrez, S. (2025). Nanotechnology-based drug delivery for breast cancer treatment: Current applications and future directions. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports, 14, 100268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmcr.2025.100268
- Fan, Z., Iqbal, H., Ni, J., Khan, N. U., Irshad, S., Razzaq, A., Alfaifi, M. Y., Elbehairi, S. E. I., Shati, A. A., Zhou, J., & Cheng, H. (2024). Rationalized landscape on protein-based cancer nanomedicine: Recent progress and challenges. International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X, 7, 100238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpx.2024.100238
- Hua, Y., Qin, Z., Gao, L., Zhou, M., Xue, Y., Li, Y., & Xie, J. (2024). Protein nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for cancer theranostics. Journal of Controlled Release, 371, 429–444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.004
- Meng, R., Zhu, H., Wang, Z., Hao, S., & Wang, B. (2022). Preparation of drug-loaded albumin nanoparticles and its application in cancer therapy. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2022, Article 3052175. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3052175
Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach in modern medicine, particularly in targeted drug delivery and cancer treatment. Metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, and iron oxide nanoparticles, possess unique optical, magnetic, and chemical properties that make them useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, certain metal-based systems may face limitations, including potential toxicity, accumulation in organs, immune-system interactions, and difficulties in long-term clearance from the body. In contrast, protein-based nanoparticles, made from biocompatible materials such as albumin and gelatin, are being investigated as alternative drug-delivery systems. Their potential advantages include biodegradability, biocompatibility, and the ability to carry therapeutic substances. Nevertheless, their stability, drug-loading capacity, and effectiveness depend on their composition and design. This study aims to compare metal and protein-based nanoparticles in drug delivery by examining their mechanisms, advantages, limitations, safety concerns, and potential applications in cancer treatment. Through a review of existing scientific literature, the research seeks to understand whether protein-based nanoparticles offer meaningful advantages over metalbased and other systems and identify the challenges that must be addressed to improve the safety and effectiveness of nanomedicine. It also aims at promoting protein based nanoparticles for drug delivery in chemotherapy. The research is concluded by proposing protein-based nanoparticles as promising drug-delivery systems in cancer treatment, particularly due to their biocompatibility and ability to transport therapeutic agents.
Keywords :
Protein Nanoparticles, Cancer Treatment, Drug Delivery, Biocompatibility, Toxicity, Biodegradability, Immunogenicity, Nanotechnology, Albumin, Abraxane.