Transdermal Drug Delivery: A Step towards Treatment of Cancer

Background: Transdermal drug delivery is an emerging and appealing alternative to oral and hypodermic drug delivery systems. With the new developments in skin penetration techniques, anticancer drugs ranging from hydrophilic macromolecules to lipophilic drugs can be administered via a transdermal route to treat cancer. Objective: In the present review, various approaches to enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs are discussed, including micro and nanotechnology-based transdermal formulations like chemotherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, phototherapy, vaccines, and medical devices. Limitations and advantages of various transdermal technologies are also elaborated. Methods: In this review, patent applications and recent literature of transdermal drug delivery systems employed to cure mainly cancer are covered. Results: Transdermal drug delivery systems have proved their potential to cure cancer. They increase the bioavailability of the drug by site-specific drug delivery and can reduce the side effects/- toxicity associated with anticancer drugs. Conclusion: The potential of transdermal drug delivery systems to carry the drug may unclutter novel ways for therapeutic intercessions in various tumors.