Advanced Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems and Their Cellular Evaluation for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Simple Summary Nanoparticulate systems have been extensively explored for the treatment of various diseases, including cancers. The outstanding characteristics of nanoparticles have made it possible to administer them via different routes such as intravenous or inhalation. This flexibility can improve the delivery of encapsulated drugs to the targeted cells for the treatment of lung-related diseases and cancers such as non-small cell lung cancers. The effectiveness of a treatment option needs to be validated in suitable in vitro and/or in vivo models. As the handling of in vivo models is a challenge, many researchers have turned towards in vitro models that use normal cells or specific cells from diseased tissues. This review focuses on the currently available nanoparticles for lung cancers and the type of cellular work that can be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a nanoparticulate system for this cancer type. Lung cancers, the number one cancer killer, can be broadly divided into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with NSCLC being the most commonly diagnosed type. Anticancer agents for NSCLC suffer from various limitations that can be partly overcome by the application of nanomedicines. Nanoparticles is a branch within nanomedicine that can improve the delivery of anticancer drugs, whilst ensuring the stability and sufficient bioavailability following administration. There are many publications available in the literature exploring different types of nanoparticles from different materials. The effectiveness of a treatment option needs to be validated in suitable in vitro and/or in vivo models. This includes the developed nanoparticles, to prove their safety and efficacy. Many researchers have turned towards in vitro models that use normal cells or specific cells from diseased tissues. However, in cellular works, the physiological dynamics that is available in the body could not be mimicked entirely, and hence, there is still possible development of false positive or false negative results from the in vitro models. This article provides an overview of NSCLC, the different nanoparticles available to date, and in vitro evaluation of the nanoparticles. Different types of cells suitable for in vitro study and the important precautions to limit the development of false results are also extensively discussed.