Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Centre for Bioactive Molecules and Drug Delivery, Institute for Research Development and Innovation, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 School of Postgraduate Studies, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
PMID: 40022612 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2025.2474693

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to pose a considerable health challenge with few therapeutic alternatives. Liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCN) are nanostructured drug delivery systems made of lipid-based amphiphilic materials that self-assemble into crystalline phases in aqueous environments. LCN have become a promising way to treat NSCLC owing to their specific properties that make them useful for targeted delivery and controlled drug release.

AREAS COVERED: The review provides a brief overview of the use of LCN in the treatment of NSCLC. It explores their composition, fabrication methods, and characterization processes. The article further addresses several nanoparticle-based approaches for the treatment of NSCLC. Ultimately, it underscores the promise of LCNs as a promising drug delivery system for NSCLC and discusses the obstacles and outlook in this field.

EXPERT OPINION: LCN represents a promising frontier in the treatment of NSCLC, offering several specific advantages over conventional therapies. Utilizing their intrinsic self-assembly characteristics, LCN provides meticulous control over drug encapsulation, release kinetics, and cellular absorption, which are crucial for improving therapy success. LCN also has the capability for co-delivery of various drugs, facilitating synergistic therapeutic benefits and addressing multidrug resistance, a prevalent issue in NSCLC treatment.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.