Authors : Pinjari Moul Ali; Dr. M. Srirama Chandra; S. M. D. Musheed; Ediga Balakrishna Godd; Visana Karra Triveni

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/444x7rk4

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3fx2wbs6

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar2060

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Cisplatin remains the cornerstone of chemoradiation in head and neck cancers, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Despite its proven efficacy, its clinical utility is limited by dose-dependent systemic toxicities—including nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, and myelosuppression—as well as the frequent emergence of intrinsic and acquired resistance. Carboplatin, while less toxic, demonstrates reduced potency, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach, offering novel drug delivery systems that enhance tumor specificity, improve pharmacokinetics, and minimize off-target effects. Liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, metallic nanocarriers, dendrimers, and exosome-based systems have shown promise in preclinical and early clinical studies. These nanocarriers not only improve cisplatin bioavailability but also address resistance mechanisms by bypassing efflux pumps, modulating DNA repair pathways, and enabling controlled, tumor-microenvironment-responsive drug release. Importantly, nanocarrier-mediated cisplatin delivery can be integrated into multimodal therapy, combining with immunotherapy, targeted agents, and radiotherapy to achieve synergistic effects. Advances in biomarker-guided therapy, such as LC3B-II and other molecular predictors of cisplatin response, further strengthen the translational potential of nanotechnology in oral and head and neck cancers. This review synthesizes current progress in nanotechnology-driven cisplatin delivery, explores molecular mechanisms of resistance, and highlights translational opportunities and challenges—including scalability, regulatory hurdles, and accessibility in resource-limited settings. By bridging conventional chemotherapy with cutting-edge nanomedicine, these innovations hold promise to redefine therapeutic outcomes in high-burden regions such as South Asia, where oral cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality.

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