A Comprehensive Review on Nanotechnology-Based Innovations in Topical Drug Delivery for Treatment of Skin Cancer.

BACKGROUND Skin is the largest organ of the body and helps to regulate several physiological functions. It acts as a barrier that protects the body against UV-radiation, toxic substances, infections, etc. The abnormal growth of the skin cells is called skin cancer. Different types of skin cancer can be classified as Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC); which mainly occur due to chronic exposure of UV- sunlight and pollution. METHODS The conventional topical treatment of skin cancer such as cream, gel, ointment, etc are more occlusive and thus they don't penetrate deep into the skin (dermal layer), while, it remains at the upper part of the skin (epidermal layer). Stratum corneum act as a physiological barrier for the drug-loaded in the conventional formulation. The novel carrier systems have the potential to facilitate the penetration of the drug deep into the skin (dermal layer) because these have less size and higher flexibility than conventional treatment. CONCLUSION In the present review, we have discussed various novel carrier systems being investigated for the topical application of chemotherapeutic agents for efficient skin targeting and better dermatological as well as therapeutic benefits with minimal systemic exposure and toxicity.