Table of Contents

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the third most common type of malignancy in developing countries and the eighth most common in developed countries. The rate survival is poor when there is late detection of these lesions. The development of oral mucosal drug delivery systems may be quite useful as treatment and as adjuvant of oral cancer. This chapter is focused on principles, systems, technology, therapeutic approaches, safety and toxicity and patents comprising drug delivery systems for local oral squamous cell carcinoma treatment. In this context, the most valuable and up-to-date oral drug delivery systems for oral squamous cell carcinoma were discussed. Some aspects and definitions were revised in terms of oral mucosal environment, challenges, and benefits of local treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma, as well as the characteristics of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. The strategies to foster the drug delivery, the advances in both in vitro and in vivo activity, and patents and registered products in the market aiming local treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma were considered.

Keywords: oral, OSCC, drug delivery, treatment, therapy