A Review on Formulation and Evaluation of Nanoniosomal Topical gel of Paclitaxel for skin cancer

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world and one of the major public health problems. Despite the great advances in cancer therapy, the incidence and mortality rates of cancer remain high. Therefore, the goal for more efficient and less toxic cancer treatment strategies is still at the forefront of current research. Despite these efforts, cancer drug research remains a remarkably challenging field, and therapeutic innovations have not yet achieved expected clinical results. However, the physiopathology of the disease is now better understood, and the discovery of novel molecular targets has refreshed the expectations of developing improved treatments. Paclitaxel (PCT) is a chemotherapeutic agent used as a first-line treatment for a wide range of cancers, such as lung, ovarian, breast, prostate, head, and neck cancers, and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma. Currently, the marketed forms of Paclitaxel are intravenous formulations. Oral administration of Paclitaxel is unfortunately hampered due to its low bioavailability. This is explained by its low aqueous solubility, low permeability, high affinity for cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein. As another approach, drug carrier systems are extensively studied to enhance oral Paclitaxel bioavailability and reduce side effects. The niosomes provides several important advantages over conventional drug therapy. Structurally, niosomes are similar to liposomes, in that they are also made up of a bilayer. However, the bilayer in the case of niosomes is made up of non-ionic surface-active agents rather than phospholipids as seen in case of liposomes. Niosome nanoparticles are among these drug delivery systems, which have numerous applications in drug delivery and targeting. Niosomes are frequently used for loading drugs serving different purposes (e.g., anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial agents). The aim of this review is to evaluate the extent of nanotherapeutics used in anti-cancer activity.