Reconnoitring signaling pathways and exploiting innovative approaches tailoring multifaceted therapies for skin cancer

Int J Pharm. 2024 Nov 15:665:124719. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124719. Epub 2024 Sep 16.

Abstract

Nowadays, skin cancer is widespread just like a varied malignant cancer which can cause serious health issues. Skin cancer, which encompasses malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, is a prevalent form of cancer among humans. Due to its broad prevalence, financial burden, mortality rates, and cosmetic effects, it is a major public health issue. Skin cancer treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Recently, personalized treatment in the fields of targeted therapies and precision medicine has been shown to diagnose early detection of every individual tumor by knowing their genetic and molecular characteristics. To target the molecular pathways responsible for tumor growth and reduce the damage to healthy tissue, new targeted therapies have emerged for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. B-raf serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and precision medications have strong response rates to improve patient survival. Targeted therapeutics like nanocarriers have shown promising results by reducing skin irritation and protecting encapsulated therapeutics. These formulations have been shown to improve the transdermal permeability of anticancer drugs. The consideration of employing physical techniques to enhance the permeation of nanocarriers warrants attention to augment the dermal permeation of anticancer agents and facilitate targeted drug delivery within neoplastic cells. Targeted therapies face obstacles like resistance mechanisms and treatment strategy monitoring. Taken together, this review delves into the basic mechanisms of skin cancer, current treatment methods, drug resistance processes, and nano-based targeted techniques for cancer treatment. It will also delineate the challenges and perspectives in pre-clinical and clinical contexts.

Keywords: Multifaceted therapies; Pre-clinical and clinical aspects; Signaling pathways; Skin cancer; Transdermal delivery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers