DEVELOPMENT OF TARGETED NANOPARTICLE DRUG DELIVERY FOR SURGICAL CANCER THERAPY: EFFECTS ON PHARMACOKINETICS, TUMOR ACCUMULATION, THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY, AND SYSTEMIC TOXICITY

Abstract

Targeted nanoparticle drug delivery has emerged as a promising approach for improving the therapeutic performance of anticancer drugs while reducing systemic toxicity during cancer treatment. This quantitative experimental study evaluated the effect of targeted nanoparticle drug delivery on pharmacokinetics, tumor accumulation, therapeutic efficacy, and treatment safety in surgical cancer therapy using a preclinical cancer model. A selected anticancer drug was incorporated into a biocompatible nanoparticle formulation and administered to experimental treatment groups, with a conventional drug formulation and control condition used for comparison. Data were collected through blood sampling, tumor tissue analysis, tumor volume assessment, hematological and biochemical testing, and organ histopathology. Pharmacokinetic outcomes included Cmax, Tmax, AUC, and elimination half-life, while tumor accumulation was assessed through tissue drug concentration. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through tumor response and tumor volume reduction, whereas systemic toxicity was assessed using hematological, biochemical, and organ-related indicators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey post-hoc analysis, with statistical significance established at p < .05. The results demonstrated significant differences among treatment groups in pharmacokinetic parameters and tumor drug accumulation, with the targeted nanoparticle formulation showing higher drug exposure and greater tumor-associated drug concentration. Significant differences were also observed in therapeutic outcomes, with targeted nanoparticle treatment demonstrating greater tumor volume reduction and tumor response when combined with surgical therapy. Furthermore, the targeted nanoparticle group showed comparatively lower systemic and organ toxicity than the conventional drug group. Overall, the findings indicate that targeted nanoparticle drug delivery can modify anticancer drug pharmacokinetics, enhance tumor accumulation, improve therapeutic outcomes, and provide a comparatively favorable safety profile in surgical cancer therapy.