Recent developments of nanomedicine delivery systems for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PCa) is one of the principal causes of death from cancer, resulting in a low patient survival rate due to its late diagnosis. Many factors are involved in the failure of treatment for PCa, including significant tumor heterogeneity, endosomal sequestration, and hypoxia. Despite nonspecific biodistribution, fast depletion from the bloodstream, and the destruction of healthy cells, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation are still the main strategies for PCa treatment. As such, there is a growing demand for novel and effective targeted treatments with minimal side effects. Nanotechnology provides a platform for new drug discovery and the repurposing of marketed drugs for more efficient passive and active targeting, offering the chance to modulate the PCa microenvironment better and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. Herein, we review the fabrication, characteristics, and potential application of these nano-drug delivery systems and highlight the exhaustive collection of recent advances in this field which helps to achieve a comprehensive understanding to design more effective formulations and address the encountered challenges in PCa treatment.