Oral Cancer (OC) is a serious and growing problem which constitutes a huge burden on
people in more and less economically developed countries alike. The scenario is clearly depicted from
the increase in the expected number of new cases in the US diagnosed with OC from 49,670 people in
2016, to 49,750 cases in 2017. The situation is even more alarming in India, with 75,000 to 80,000
new cases being reported every year, thus making it the OC capital of the world. Leukoplakia,
erythroplakia, oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, discoid lupus erythmatosus, hereditary disorders
such as dyskeratosis congenital and epidermolisys bullosa are highlighted by WHO expert
working group as the predisposing factors increasing the risk of OC. Consumption of tobacco and alcohol,
genetic factors, and human papilloma virus are assigned as the factors contributing to the aetiology
of OC. On the other hand, pathogenesis of OC involves not only apoptosis but also pain, inflammation
and oxidative stress. Inspite of current treatment options (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy),
OC is often associated with recurrence and formation of secondary primary tumours resulting
in poor overall survival rates (∼50%). The intervention of nano technology-based drug delivery
systems as therapeutics for cancers is often viewed as a cutting edge for technologists. Though ample
literature on the usefulness of nano-coutured cancer therapeutics, rarely any product is in pipeline.
Yet, despite all the hype about nanotechnology, there are few ongoing trials. This review discusses the
current and future trends of nano-based drug delivery for the treatment of OC.
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