Head and neck cancer (HNC) represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies with high global incidence and mortality rates. Traditional treatments for advanced HNC, such as combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, often lead to debilitating long-term side effects that significantly affect patients quality of life. In response to these limitations, tumor-targeted polymer-based nanoparticles have emerged as a promising strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Polymeric nanoparticles comprised of natural or synthetic polymers and sized between 10 and 1000 nm have several benefits, including biocompatibility, adaptable drug release patterns, and the capacity to improve the solubility and stability of medicinal compounds. These nanoparticles can be engineered to target medications to tumor sites specifically, lowering systemic toxicity and enhancing treatment results. This review focuses on recent advances in the targeted therapy of HNC using polymeric nanoparticles such as chitosan, alginate, cyclodextrin, poly (lactic acid), poly (caprolactone), poly (ethylene glycol), dendrimers, and micelles. The emphasis is on their mechanisms, advantages, and potential to transform present HNC treatments.

In this investigation, using the biogenic approach, Plectranthus vettiveroides root extract was used to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles ( P. vettiveroides CNPs). The produced nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using UV-visible (UV/vis) absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The typical absorption peaks in the UV/vis spectra were located around 253 nm. Functional groups were identified in P. vettiveroides CNPs by FTIR. As per SEM analysis, the NPs generated exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 78.01 nm. In addition, the synthesized P. vettiveroides CNPs were examined for antioxidant and antibacterial properties and anticancer activities. They show a strong antioxidant activity compared to butylated hydroxytoluene as a standard antioxidant. P. vettiveroides root extract CNPs demonstrated the most significant zone of inhibition against Klebsiella pneumoniae (22 mm), followed by Escherichia coli (21 mm), Bacillus cereus (19 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (17 mm). In addition, using MTT assay, anticancer efficacy against KB (oral cancer) cells was studied. The cytotoxic reaction was observed in a dosage-dependent manner. P. vettiveroides CNPs show bioefficacy because of their size and the existence of bioactive compounds, which can enhance antibacterial and anticancer activities by lysing bacterial and cancer cell walls.

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization and anticancer efficacy of nerolidol-loaded beta cyclodextrin polymeric nanoparticles (NER-βCD-NPs) against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Nerolidol, a sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties, faces challenges of poor solubility and bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. Breast cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, necessitates alternative therapies with fewer side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy. NER-βCD-NPs were synthesized and characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release were analyzed using HPLC, while molecular docking assessed NER-βCD interactions. Characterization confirmed successful nanoparticle synthesis. UV-visible spectra and FTIR indicated encapsulation-specific changes, SEM revealed surface morphology, and DLS, zeta potential and DSC analyses demonstrated increased size and stability. The encapsulation efficiency was 84.9%, with 86% NER release at pH 5.4 over 48 h. Docking studies supported strong binding between NER and βCD (binding energy: -3.55 kcal/mol). Cytotoxicity assays showed significant MCF-7 cell inhibition. Mechanistic studies revealed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, nuclear changes and cell cycle arrest in the G0-G1 phase. Molecular analysis demonstrated apoptosis through upregulation of Bax, Caspase 6, Caspase 9 and Cytochrome c, alongside Bcl-2 downregulation. These results highlight NER-βCD-NPs as a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy, offering targeted delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy while mitigating nerolidol limitations. Further studies are warranted to validate their potential in clinical applications.

The study investigates the molecular interactions and biological effects of carvacrol zinc oxide quantum dots (CVC-ZnO QDs) on breast cancer in vitro MCF-7 cell lines and in vivo mammary cancer models. Molecular docking using AutoDock Vina revealed binding energies of CVC with key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, including PI3K, AKT, PTEN, and mTOR. The results showed significant interaction with specific amino acids, indicating a strong binding affinity. In vitro studies demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of CVC-ZnO QDs on MCF-7 cells, with an IC₅₀ of 20.02 µg/mL, while enhancing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), indicative of apoptosis induction. Antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, and nuclear morphological changes were assessed, revealing decreased antioxidant status and increased lipid peroxidation in treated cells. In vivo, CVC-ZnO QDs modulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in DMBA-induced mammary cancer in rats, decreasing p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR expression while upregulating PTEN. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses confirmed these molecular alterations. The study concludes that CVC-ZnO QDs exert cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects on breast cancer cells by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and promoting oxidative stress, presenting a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer management.