Customized multifunctional nanocarriers for cancer therapy: Integrating targeting, imaging, and combination treatment for diverse patient needs
Multifunctional nanocarriers have emerged as a transformative approach in cancer therapy by overcoming traditional limitations such as systemic toxicity, poor tumor selectivity, and multidrug resistance. This review highlights recent advances in the design and application of customizable nanocarrier systems that integrate targeting, imaging, and combination drug delivery for more personalized and population-specific treatments. We examine major nanocarrier platforms, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid systems, with particular emphasis on their tunable physicochemical properties and modular architectures that facilitate adaptation to diverse patient populations, including elderly patients and those with treatment-resistant conditions. Functionalization strategies, such as ligand-mediated targeting and stimuli-responsive release, are discussed in the context of improving site-specific delivery and minimizing off-target effects. The integration of imaging agents enables theranostic functionality for real-time treatment monitoring. We also explore co-delivery systems for synergistic therapies combining chemotherapy, immunomodulation, and phototherapy. Clinical progress, regulatory challenges, and future trends including AI-driven design and bioinspired materials are discussed. This review underscores the pivotal role of multifunctional nanocarriers in advancing precision and inclusive oncology.