Emerging roles of nanocomposites for management of skin cancers: from tumor eradication to post-surgical treatment

Abstract

Skin cancers, including melanoma and non-melanoma subtypes, remain a significant global health challenge since current treatment approaches including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, all cause systemic toxicity and lack specificity. In this context, the combination of tissue engineering and nanotechnology has emerged as a versatile solution, offering targeted drug delivery, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, and reduced side effects. This review explores the latest advancements in nanomedicine for post-surgery skin cancer wound healing, focusing on various nanocarriers, including metallic nanoparticles (NPs) (e.g., gold, silver), polymeric NPs (e.g., chitosan), and bioactive glasses. These nanoplatforms enhance drug bioavailability, facilitate controlled release, and enable precise tumor targeting while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of encapsulating NPs within various nanocomposites (such as injectable hydrogels and electrospun nanofibers) in tumor eradication and skin regeneration, underlining their potential in photothermal therapy, photo/chemodynamic therapy, and wound healing. Despite promising results, challenges such as scalability, long-term safety, and personalized treatment strategies still remain. Future research should focus on optimizing NP design, integrating multifunctional systems, and advancing clinical applications to reationize skin cancer therapy and improve patient outcomes.