Microfluidic-engineered polymeric nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in liver cancer therapy: part I principles.

INTRODUCTION

Conventional drug delivery for cancer therapy often suffer from poor targeting efficiency, limited bioavailability, and severe off-target toxicity. Nanoparticle-based approaches have emerged as transformative alternatives, particularly when integrated with microfluidic technologies. In the context of liver cancer, microfluidic-assisted polymeric nanocarriers provide a highly controllable and reproducible route for improving drug delivery outcomes.

AREAS COVERED: We cover recent developments in polymeric nanoparticle systems; their integration with microfluidic fabrication platforms for liver cancer therapy; the ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents, achieve controlled release, and facilitate passive and active tumor targeting through physicochemical modulation and ligand functionalization; microfluidic-assisted synthesis, which enables fine-tuned control over particle size, surface chemistry, and payload distribution with minimal batch-to-batch variation; PEGylated PLGA, cyclodextrin-based, and stimuli-responsive polymeric nanocarriers, highlighting their potential in overcoming biological barriers and enhancing therapeutic index.

EXPERT OPINION: Microfluidic-assisted nanoparticle fabrication represents a paradigm shift in the design and clinical translation of targeted therapies for liver cancer. By allowing real-time control over nanoparticle synthesis and enabling combination delivery strategies, this approach holds great promise for personalized and precision oncology. Continued integration of microfluidic engineering with biomaterial science and clinical insights is expected to accelerate the realization of safe, reproducible, and patient-tailored nanotherapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma.