Title:An Investigative Approach to Treatment Modalities for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
Author(s): Md. Habban Akhter and Saima Amin*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062,India
Keywords:
Chemotherapy, drug targeting, molecular pathways, nanoparticles, skin, receptors, squamous cell carcinoma.
Abstract: Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of skin has become an important matter of discussion
worldwide due to high number of deaths. Treatment of such cancer involves use of drugs (chemotherapy)
along with surgery or radiation therapy. The combination chemotherapy is preferred over single
treatment modality may be due to synergistic effect of targeting agent resulting in reduced drug
dose, reduced cytotoxic effect and improved efficacy and survival rate. The objective of this work is to
provide insight into the squamous cell carcinoma of skin; the various approaches and challenges
adapted to surmount the cancer malignancies.
Methods: Research evidence shows that nanoparticle based therapeutic delivery to squamous cell carcinoma
is equanimous to lead therapeutic approaches for intervention of cancer growth. Active chemotherapeutic
approach is one of the leading therapies to such cancer cells due specific selectivity towards
the EGFR-receptors over-expressed in tumor cells. Review of numerous research publications
revealed innate toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, and substantiated active receptor mediated drug
targeting for therapeutic regime. These actively functionalized nanoparticles have been delivered to the
targeted cells with higher selectivity, minimal toxicity and better retention in the cell.
Results: Numerous approaches and strategies have been designed till date for successful delivery of
drug to cancer cells. The techniques have shown tremendous improvement in getting normalcy of carcinomas
but a few have been marketed so far.
Conclusion: Indeed, receptor based drug targeting approach through molecular signal transduction
pathways involved in skin cancer development will provide insight into squamous carcinoma. Despite
of these, other such challenges in drug delivery to squamous cell carcinoma need further clarification.
