Cancer Nanotheranostics: Bridging Pharmaceutical Engineering with Pharmacological Targeting

Abstract

Cancer nanotheranostics integrates therapeutic and diagnostic functionalities within a single nanoscale platform, enabling targeted drug delivery, real-time imaging, and monitoring of treatment response. These systems leverage pharmacological targeting strategies and advanced pharmaceutical engineering to improve efficacy, reduce systemic toxicity, and personalize therapy. This review highlights the design principles, material choices, targeting strategies, and pharmacokinetic considerations of cancer nanotheranostics. Clinical applications in imaging-guided therapy, stimuli-responsive drug release, and multifunctional platforms are discussed. Emerging trends, challenges in clinical translation, and regulatory considerations are also reviewed, emphasizing the convergence of pharmacology and nanotechnology in oncology.