Targeted nanoscale drug delivery systems for melanoma therapy

Melanoma is a highly lethal form of skin cancer. Although targeted drugs and immunotherapy have definite survival benefits for certain patients, they also encounter systemic toxicity and drug resistance concerns. With nanotechnology developments and the in-depth antigen and receptor study on melanoma cells, nanoparticles functionalized with different ligands (such as antibodies, aptamers, peptides, folate, hyaluronic acid, and transferrin) are utilized in targeted drug delivery systems. In addition, combining biomimetics and nanotechnology provides a developmental platform for constructing cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles. Nanoparticles coated with melanoma or immune cell membranes have been scrutinized for melanoma therapy use. These targeting strategies encourage drug accumulation at the tumor site, enhance antitumor efficacy, and reduce systemic toxicity. Exploring new melanoma targets will promote novel target molecule development and high-loading multifunctional targeting nanoparticle production, further improving therapeutic effects. This review highlights recent advances in targeted nanoparticle drug delivery systems for melanoma therapy.