Introduction: In recent years, the applications of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles (NPs) have gained extensive interest as targeted drug/gene delivery systems to cancerous tissues and cells due to their accessibility, low cost, safety, biocompatibility, pH-sensitivity, and slow biodegradability.
Areas covered: Drug-loaded CaCO3 NPs (CCNPs) have been reviewed. An updated search on the current state of CCNPs as cancer drug/gene delivery systems with a focus on their special properties including pH-sensitivity, biodegradability, and sustained release performance has been also assessed.
Expert opinion: Based on the reviewed literature, CCNPs, because of their superior features, will have a great aiding role in safe and efficient cancer treatment in the near future.
Keywords: CaCO nanoparticles; cancer; drug delivery; gene delivery.