PEGylated Chitosan Nanoparticles: Engineering Multifunctional Platforms for Targeted Cervical and Lung Cancer Treatment

Polymer-based nanocarriers have emerged as transformative platforms in cancer nanomedicine, enabling controlled and site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents. Among polysaccharide-derived materials, chitosan stands out for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and intrinsic mucoadhesive properties that promote efficient drug encapsulation and enhanced cellular internalization. Surface PEGylation the conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains further augments the physicochemical and biological performance of chitosan nanoparticles by enhancing colloidal stability, extending systemic circulation, and reducing opsonization by the reticuloendothelial system. In addition, ligand-mediated functionalization facilitates active tumor targeting and selective intracellular delivery, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target toxicity. This review critically summarizes recent advances in the design, synthesis, and functional modification of PEGylated chitosan nanoparticles, with emphasis on their pharmacokinetic behavior, drug release mechanisms, and anticancer performance. Comparative insights into other polymeric and lipid-based nanocarrier systems are also provided. Finally, current challenges, safety considerations, and translational perspectives are discussed, underscoring the promise of PEGylated chitosan nanoplatforms as next-generation biomaterials for precision oncology.