Emergence of Functionalized Nanomedicines in Cancer Chemotherapy: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Toxicity Considerations

Past few decades have evidenced the extensive multidisciplinary investigation in the field of nanotechnology. Nanomedicines have emerged as promising carriers for delivery of diverse therapeutic molecules to the targeted sites. Owing to their unique physiochemical and optical properties, nanomedicines are used for multifunctional applications like delivery of therapeutic molecules, tumor targeting, imaging, etc. This present review mainly focuses on recent advancements, challenges and opportunities in the field of functionalized nanomedicines like liposomes, micelles, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites like nanotubes, graphenes and their derivatives for treatment of multiple types of cancers with special insight into the patent literatures. Also the nuances of the toxicological issues of the aforesaid nanosystems have been addressed.