Advances in Microfluidic and Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Cancer Diagnosis, Drug Delivery, and Therapy

The integration of microfluidics and nanotechnology has revolutionized the landscape of cancer research, offering unprecedented precision in both diagnostics and therapeutics. Microfluidic technologies allow manipulation of fluids at the microscale, providing platforms for real-time monitoring, high-throughput screening, and single-cell analysis. These systems are especially powerful for modeling tumor microenvironments, isolating circulating tumor cells, and enabling minimally invasive diagnostic solutions.

Concurrently, advances in nanotechnology, particularly in the development of colloidal nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanocarriers, and nanosensors, have led to breakthroughs in targeted drug delivery and tumor-specific imaging. Colloidal systems offer tunable surface chemistry, controlled size and shape, and multifunctionality, making them ideal for overcoming biological barriers and achieving site-specific therapeutic action with minimal off-target effects.

This Research Topic seeks to highlight the convergence of microfluidic engineering and colloidal nanotechnology in tackling critical challenges in oncology. Conventional diagnostic and treatment modalities often lack sensitivity, selectivity, and personalization. In contrast, microfluidic-nanotechnology platforms hold the potential to transform cancer care by enabling patient-specific approaches, integrating biosensing and therapeutic functionalities, and improving clinical outcomes through data-driven and material-focused innovation.

We particularly welcome contributions that demonstrate how colloidal materials such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipid-based carriers, metallic nanostructures, and hybrid systems—can be integrated into microfluidic platforms to enhance diagnostic resolution, therapeutic precision, and biological compatibility. Submissions may include original research, reviews, or perspective articles that bridge the gap between materials science, bioengineering, and clinical oncology.

Scope of interest includes, but is not limited to:

-Development and application of tumor-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip systems

-Colloidal nanocarriers for targeted and stimuli-responsive drug delivery

-Microfluidic platforms for personalized drug screening and cancer diagnostics

-Biosensors and nanosensors for early detection of cancer biomarkers

-Smart colloidal systems responsive to pH, temperature, or enzymatic cues

-Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with nano-micro systems

-Hybrid platforms combining nanomaterials and microfluidics for theranostics

By showcasing interdisciplinary research at the interface of microfluidics, colloidal materials, and nanomedicine, this Topic aims to advance the development of next-generation cancer technologies with real clinical impact.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Microfluidics, Nanotechnology, Targeted Drug Delivery, Cancer Therapeutics, Lab-on-a-Chip

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.