Review Highlights Emerging Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Cancer Treatment

A collaborative review led by Professor Nurhasni Hasan of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Hasanuddin University in Indonesia brings together researchers from Indonesia, Japan and China to assess emerging local drug delivery systems for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The paper highlights OSCC as one of the most prevalent malignancies of the oral cavity and head‑and‑neck region, noting its substantial contribution to worldwide cancer‑related morbidity and mortality.

The authors examine the specific barriers that limit the effectiveness of conventional systemic therapies for OSCC, including poor drug penetration, systemic toxicity and the complex microenvironment of oral tumors. By focusing on locally administered platforms—such as biodegradable polymers, nanocarriers and injectable hydrogels—the review outlines design strategies intended to achieve sustained release, targeted action and improved patient compliance. The analysis draws on recent preclinical and early clinical studies to illustrate how these technologies may circumvent anatomical and physiological obstacles that have historically hampered treatment outcomes.

The authors conclude that advancing locally focused drug delivery could represent a pivotal shift in OSCC management, offering the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse effects. Continued interdisciplinary research and translational efforts are recommended to move these promising systems from experimental models toward routine clinical application.