Harnessing Nanotechnology for Idarubicin Delivery in Cancer Therapy: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives

The global burden of cancer, which constitutes approximately one-sixth of all worldwide mortalities, poses a significant challenge for scientific researchers in their pursuit of effective therapeutic interventions. This discourse delves into the potential of idarubicin (IDA), an anthracycline antibiotic with pronounced lipophilicity, known for its accelerated nuclear sequestration, enhanced cellular permeability, and potent cytotoxicity. Despite IDA’s demonstrated effectiveness in combating a spectrum of cancers, its therapeutic utility is significantly hampered by the onset of deleterious side effects such as cardiotoxicity and myelosuppression. The manuscript provides an exhaustive analysis of novel methodologies that have been developed to circumvent the impediments associated with IDA delivery, encompassing lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs), polymeric nanocarriers, carbonaceous nanostructures, and inorganic NPs. It examines key parameters such as drug release, encapsulation efficacy, loading proficiency, zeta potential, along with in vivo and in vitro characterizations, offering a comprehensive assessment of the advancements in disparate delivery systems for IDA. Furthermore, the manuscript probes into co-delivery formulations of IDA in conjunction with other anti-cancer agents, underscoring their promising implications for future oncological therapy. The discourse also highlights the paucity of empirical research in this domain. The revelations gleaned from this review are anticipated to make a substantial contribution to the genesis of innovative strategies for future oncological treatment.