Shikha Gulati: Department of Chemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India. kumarsanjaybatra20@gmail.com. ORCID
Nabeela Ansari: Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India. ORCID
Yamini Moriya: Department of Life Sciences, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India.
Kumud Joshi: Department of Life Sciences, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India.
Disha Prasad: Department of Chemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India. kumarsanjaybatra20@gmail.com.
Gargi Sajwan: Department of Biological Sciences, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India.
Shefali Shukla: Department of Chemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India. kumarsanjaybatra20@gmail.com.
Sanjay Kumar: Department of Chemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110021, India. kumarsanjaybatra20@gmail.com.
Rajender S Varma: Centre of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905 São Carlos - SP, Brazil. rajvarma@hotmail.com. ORCID
Nanobiopolymers have emerged as a transformative frontier in cancer treatment, leveraging nanotechnology to transform drug delivery. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted landscape of nano-based biopolymers, emphasizing their diverse sources, synthesis methods, and classifications. Natural, synthetic, and microbial nanobiopolymers are scrutinized, along with elucidation of their underlying mechanisms and impact on cancer drug delivery; the latest findings on their deployment as targeted drug delivery agents for cancer treatment are discussed. A detailed analysis of nanobiopolymer sources, including polysaccharides, peptides, and nucleic acids, highlights critical attributes like biodegradability, renewability, and sustainability essential for therapeutic applications. The classification of nanobiopolymers based on their origin and differentiation among natural, synthetic, and microbial sources are thoroughly examined for inherent advantages, challenges, and suitability for cancer therapeutics. The importance of targeted drug release at tumour sites, crucial for minimizing adverse effects on normal tissues, is discussed, encompassing various mechanisms. The role of polymer membrane coatings as a pivotal barrier for facilitating controlled drug release through diffusion is elucidated, providing further insight into efficient methods for cancer treatment and thus consolidating the current knowledge base for researchers and practitioners in the field of nanobiopolymers and cancer therapeutics.