A novel therapeutic outlook - Classification, applications and challenges of inhalable micron/nanoparticle drug delivery systems in lung cancer - Review

Sep 22, 2026

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Lung cancer represents a major global public health concern with a low ~20% average 5-year survival rate despite current treatments. Because systemic administration routes cause substantial adverse effects and deliver only limited drug to tumors, a novel, lung cancer–tailored strategy is urgently needed. This review focuses on non-invasive aerosol inhalation using inhalable micron/nanoparticle DDSs, summarizing classifications and applications aligned with clinical modalities. Preclinical localized delivery appears feasible, while clinical efficacy and long-term safety require further validation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Classification of existing inhalation formulations

Preclinical application of micron/nanoparticle DDS

Current clinical transformation and adverse events of inhalable micron/nanoparticle DDS

Challenges of inhalable micron/nanoparticle DDS

Conclusions and prospects

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 64: 38, 2024 A novel therapeutic outlook: Classification, applications and challenges of inhalable micron/nanoparticle drug delivery systems in lung cancer (Review) LIxIN xIE 1* , DAIHAN xIE 1* , ZHEFEI DU1* , SHAObO xUE 1 , KESHENG WANG1 , 1 2 1 1 xIN YU , xIULI LIU , QIUxIA PENG and CHAO FANG 1Department of Medical Ultrasound and Central Laboratory of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072; 2Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P.R. China Received October 13, 2023; Accepted January 24, 2024 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5626 Abstract. Lung cancer represents a marked global public health concern . Despite existing treatment modalities, the average 5‑year survival rate for patients with patients with lung cancer is only ~20% . As there are numerous adverse effects of systemic administration routes, there is an urgent need to develop a novel therapeutic strategy tailored specifically for patients with lung cancer. Non‑invasive aerosol inhalation, as a route of drug administration, holds unique advantages in the context of respiratory diseases. Nanoscale materials have extensive applications in the field of biomedical research in recent years . The present study provides a comprehensive review of the classification, applications summarized according to existing clinical treatment modalities for lung cancer and challenges associated with inhalable micron/nanoparticle drug delivery systems (DDSs) in lung cancer. Achieving localized treatment of lung cancer preclinical models through inhala‑ tion is deemed feasible. However, further research is required to substantiate the efficacy and long‑term safety of inhalable micron/nanoparticle DDSs in the clinical management of lung cancer. Correspondence to: Dr Chao Fang or Dr Qiuxia Peng, Department of Medical Ultrasound and Central Laboratory of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, 301 Yan‑chang‑zhong Road, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China E‑[mail: max999515@163.com](mail: max999515@163.com) E‑mail: [15177964462@163.com](15177964462@163.com) *Contributed equally Key words: drug delivery system, inhalation, lung cancer, micron/ nanoparticle, therapy Contents 1. Introduction 2. Classification of existing inhalation formulations 3. Preclinical application of micron/NDDS 4. Current clinical transformation and adverse events of inhalable micron/NDDS 5. Challenges of inhalable micron/NDDS 6. Conclusions and prospects 1. Introduction Lung cancer, being a marked global public health concern, poses a challenge due to elusive early symptoms, leading to missed opportunities for optimal surgical intervention upon diagnosis . According to the projections by the American Cancer Society, the anticipated number of newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer in the United States for both males and females is expected to rank 2nd in 2023, constituting ~12% of estimated new cancer cases. Furthermore, lung cancer is projected to have the highest mortality rate, accounting for 21% of all cancer‑related deaths (1) . Despite existing treatment modalities such as radiation therapy, immunotherapy and highly specific targeted therapy, the average 5‑year survival rate for patients with lung cancer is only ~20%(1) . Ensuring selective targeting of tumor cells while mini‑ mizing damage to normal tissues has long been a challenge in traditional therapeutic regimens for lung cancer (2,3) . Furthermore, systemic administration routes result in only a fraction of the drug reaching the tumor site, requiring high drug concentrations for effectiveness. This economic burden associated with systemic administration renders the treatment of lung cancer unsustainable (4) . Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a novel therapeutic strategy tailored

FAQs

What limitations remain before inhalable micron/nanoparticle DDSs can be widely used clinically?

The review notes feasibility in preclinical models, but further research is required to establish efficacy and long-term safety in clinical management of lung cancer.

Sep 22, 2026

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