Table 3.

Examples of CS-based nanoparticles for effective targeted delivery of antimetabolites.

Type of Modification/Functionalization	Loaded Drug	Carrier Advantages	Reference
Polycaprolactone	5-FU	Higher antineoplastic activity in head and neck tumors	[57]
Folic acid Calcium alginate	5-FU	Targeted folate receptors Stability in the gastric environment Mucoadhesive properties	[58]
Cerium oxide	5-FU	The higher scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species	[61]
Polypyrrole Carboxymethyl cellulose	5-FU	Synergistic chemo and photothermal therapy	[64]
Thymine Lactobionic acid	MTX	Improved drug uptake Improved targeting	[66]
L-cysteine Folic acid	MTX	Improved targeting	[67]
Lecithin	GEM	Improved vaginal penetration	[69]
Folic acid	CYT	Better targeting for folate-positive breast cancer cells	[70]