Recent Advances in Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Xiaoyi Fu,1 Zijian Zhang,1 Qinyi Dong,1 Siying Li,2 Xinman Wang,2 Han Zhang,2 Jiahao Bai,2 Huiyan Han,2 Lei Shi,2 Kaili Zheng,2 Lili Liang2,3 1The Third Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Dermatology, Fenyang Hospital of Shanxi Province, Fenyang, People’s Republic of China’Correspondence: Lili Liang, Department of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Fifth Hospital) of Shanxi Medical University, 29 Shuangta Temple St, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China, Email amyliangli@163.comAbstract: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a type of cancer that originates from the growth of skin cells. It represents the second most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer and primarily arises from the malignant proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis or skin appendages. The global incidence of cSCC is increasing, and its onset is primarily associated with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, genetic susceptibility, and immunosuppression. These factors severely impair patients’ quality of life and skin health. Conventional therapeutic strategies for cSCC mainly rely on surgery, radiotherapy, or photodynamic therapy. Although these approaches are widely applied in clinical practice, they present several limitations, including high recurrence rates, poor suitability for special populations, and significant toxic side effects. To overcome these shortcomings, researchers worldwide have recently conducted extensive studies on novel therapeutic approaches. Among them, innovative drug delivery systems have emerged as a highly promising research direction. Unlike traditional treatments, these new drug delivery systems, including nanocarriers (liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles), microneedle arrays, hyaluronic acid-based carriers, and DNA nanocomposites, can precisely deliver therapeutic agents to cSCC lesions, reduce systemic toxicity, and achieve sustained drug release at the tumor site. These advantages make them an optimal option for cSCC therapy. This study provides a comprehensive summary of recent advances in the design, functional performance, and translational prospects of these novel delivery technologies. It particularly elucidates how they overcome the limitations of conventional therapies and offer new possibilities for developing effective treatment strategies for cSCC.Keywords: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, nanocarriers, microneedle patch, drug delivery