Rethinking oral cancer treatment: A review of next-generation drug delivery systems

A new review by researchers from Indonesia, Japan, and China explores how advanced drug delivery systems could revolutionize the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a prevalent oral cavity and head and neck malignancy. The study, led by Professor Nurhasni Hasan from Hasanuddin University in Indonesia, highlights that direct drug delivery to the lesion site shows promise for overcoming treatment barriers.

However, the oral environment poses significant challenges, with saliva diluting medicines, enzymes degrading drug-delivery systems, and mechanical forces from chewing, speaking, and tongue movement. The review, published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, examines various local treatment approaches, including mucoadhesive films, oral sprays, in situ gels, and injectable hydrogels.

While these technologies show potential, the researchers emphasize that the most effective system depends on the drug's characteristics, tumor type, and specific clinical situation. Mucoadhesive films and patches are currently more practical due to existing regulatory and manufacturing precedents, while injectable hydrogels may benefit irregular lesions but face challenges in manufacturing and long-term biocompatibility.

The review stresses the need for realistic evaluations of how formulations withstand salivary clearance, enzymatic activity, mechanical stress, and pH changes during cancer treatment, and for matching delivery systems to individual patient needs for more predictable local treatment.