Abstract
In recent years, the role of biocompatible nanocarriers (BNs) and their cancer
cell targeting efficiency in photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds potential benefits
for cancer treatment. Biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles are
successfully used as carrier molecules to deliver cancer drugs and
photosensitizers due to their material safety in the drug delivery system.
Biocompatible nanocarriers are non-toxic and ensure high-level
biocompatibility with blood, cells, and physiological conditions. The
physicochemical properties of BNs often enable them to modify their
surface chemistry, which makes conjugating specific ligands or antibodies to
achieve cancer cell targeting drug delivery in PDT. This review article focuses on
the various types of BNs used in targeted drug delivery, physicochemical
properties, and surface chemistry of BNs in targeted drug delivery,
advantages of BNs in drug delivery systems, and the targeting efficiency of
BNs on some specific targeting receptors for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the
review briefly recaps the nanocarrier-based targeted approaches in
cancer PDT.