Luqman Jameel Rather, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher at the College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P.R. China. He has authored more than 80 research publications and edited two books. His expertise spans nanomaterial-based textiles, antimicrobial and UV-protective coatings, eco-friendly dyeing techniques, and biomedical applications of biopolymers. Showkat Ali Ganie, PhD is a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P.R. China. He has published numerous research articles in various reputed peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. His areas of research include the chemical functionalization of biopolymers and polymers through organic reactions for various applications like drug delivery, biomaterials, biomedical applications, and hydrogels. Mohammed A. Assiri, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and chemical reactivity of chromone and 1,2,4-triazine compounds containing sulfur and phosphorus heterocycles and the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel classes of α-amino-phosphonate and α-hydrazinophosphonate bearing different heterocyclic systems with new biological properties.

• Preface xviiAcknowledgment xix1 Introduction to Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential 1Suvarna Yenduri and Naga Prashant K.1.1 Introduction 21.2 Role of Polysaccharides in Current Cancer Therapy 61.3 Challenges 161.4 Future Directions and Potential Therapies 171.5 Conclusion 172 Structural Insights and Biophysical Properties of Polysaccharide Biomaterials for Enhancing Cancer Therapy 25Shahnawaz Ahamd Bhat, Zeenat Islam, Shazia Shaheen Mir and Luqman Jameel Rather2.1 Introduction 262.2 Structural Aspects of Polysaccharides 282.3 Biophysical Properties Relevant to Cancer Therapy 312.4 Interaction Mechanisms with Cancer Cells and the TME 342.5 Polysaccharide-Based Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy 372.6 Challenges and Future Perspectives 422.7 Conclusion 473 Inulin-Based Nanoparticles: Advancing Cancer Therapeutics through Biopolymer Innovations 57Tariq Ahmad Mir, S. Wazed Ali and Showkat Ali Ganie3.1 Introduction 583.2 Chemistry and Structure of Inulin 593.3 Biodegradability: Advantages for Biomedical Applications 613.4 Synthesis and Fabrication of Inulin-Based Nanoparticles 623.5 Applications in Cancer Therapy 643.6 Mechanisms of Action in Cancer Cells 663.7 Case Studies and Examples 673.8 Challenges and Limitations 733.9 Emerging Trends and Future Perspectives 743.10 Conclusion 764 Chitosan: Biomedical Applications and Cancer Therapeutic Potential 87Md Aamir Aftab, Iftkhar Ahmad, Asma Fatima and Saiqa Ikram4.1 Introduction 884.2 CS as Stabilizer for NPs 904.3 Biomedical Applications of CS 914.4 CS in Cancer Therapeutics 994.5 Modifications of CS and their Therapeutic Application 1064.6 Strategies for Enhancing Bioavailability 1084.7 Challenges and Future Prospects 1094.8 Conclusion 1105 Gum Acacia Synthetic Routes for Anticancer Treatment Development 121Tahira Bashir, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah Danish, Farhat Bano, Tayyaba Ijaz, Ji-Xin Tang and Muhammad Asmat Ullah Saleem5.1 Introduction 1225.2 Basic of Gum Acacia (Types, Structure, Chemical, and Physical Nature) 1255.3 Immunomodulatory Role of Gum Acacia 1285.4 Antitumor Properties of Gum Acacia 1295.5 Advancement in Gum Acacia Applications 1315.6 Current Challenges and Future Prospective 1355.7 Conclusion 1366 Cyclodextrins: Inclusion Complexes and Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy 149Mohd Hafizur Rehman Ansari, Mohan Lal and Ravindra K. Rawal6.1 Introduction 1506.2 Impact of CDs on Properties of Formulations 1526.3 Application of CDs 1556.4 DD Approaches 1626.5 CDs-Based Nanostructures in Cancer Therapy 1696.6 CDs as Carriers of the Anticancer Drug Development 1706.7 Future Perspective/Direction 1826.8 Conclusion 1837 Hyaluronic Acid: Targeted Delivery Strategies for Anticancer Agents 193Atharva Anand Mahajan, Gauri Panzade, Souhardya Bandyopadhyay and Subhrojyoti Ghosh7.1 Introduction 1947.2 HA: Structure and Biological Role 1987.3 Mechanism of Targeting Via HA 2007.4 HA-Driven DDS 2037.5 HA Modified Delivery Vehicles for Specific Anticancer Agents 2067.6 Challenges in HA-Based Targeted Delivery 2087.7 Clinical Applications and Current Advances 2117.8 Challenges in Advancing HA-Based Delivery Systems from Preclinical to Clinical Stages 2137.9 Conclusion 2148 Beta Glucagon: Immunomodulatory Effects and Anti-Cancer Applications 223Mehwish Rafiq, Muhammad Asmat Ullah Saleem, Ali Raza, Abdullah Ahmed Butt, Farhat Bano, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah Danish and Ji-Xin Tang8.1 Introduction 2248.2 Importance of Immunomodulatory and Anti-Cancer Properties 2268.3 Understanding Beta-Glucan 2278.4 Methods of Extraction 2328.5 Methods of Purification 2348.6 Beta-Glucan Immunomodulatory Effects 2358.7 Anti-Cancer Properties 2418.8 Beta-Glucan and the Gut Microbiota 2448.9 Advances in Beta-Glucan Research and Applications 2508.10 Challenges and Future Directions 2548.11 Conclusion 2589 Guar Gum: Structural Modification Strategies for Therapeutic Anticancer Effect 267Bushra Munir, Iqra Noor, Maimoona Nazir, Abdul Ghaffar, Shazba Aziz, Sadia Falak and Hunaira Nasreen9.1 Introduction 2689.2 Structure and Composition of Guar Gum 2709.3 Physical and Chemical Properties of Guar Gum 2719.4 Chemical Modification of Guar Gum 2759.5 Enzymatic Modifications of Guar Gum 2799.6 Characterization Techniques 2819.7 Application of Guar Gum in Health Management 2829.8 Drug–Polymer Interaction 2889.9 Comparative Evaluation of Guar Gum with Other Biopolymers 2899.10 Synergistic Potential of Guar Gum Derivatives in Combinatorial Cancer Treatments 2909.11 Future Prospective 2939.12 Conclusion 29310 Agarose: Nanostructured Platforms for Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment 301Haleema Ahmad and Mohd Salik Usmani10.1 Introduction 30210.2 Nanostructured Platforms for Drug Delivery 30410.3 Synthesis and Fabrication of Agarose-Based Nanostructures 30710.4 Functionalization and Modification of Agarose Nanostructures 31110.5 Mechanisms of Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment 31510.6 Applications of Agarose Nanostructures in Cancer Therapy 31910.7 In Vitro and In Vivo Studies 32310.8 Clinical Translation and Challenges 32610.9 Scalability and Regulatory Challenges 32810.10 Future Directions and Emerging Trends 33010.11 Conclusion 33211 Pectin: Chemical Functionalization for Targeted Cancer Treatment 339Shazia Shahen Mir, Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat, Md. Saddam, Zeenat Islam and Luqman Jameel Rather11.1 Introduction 34011.2 Structure and Chemistry of Pectin 34111.3 Functionalization and Modification of Pectin 34411.4 Applications in Targeted Cancer Therapy 34511.5 Mechanisms of Action in Cancer Cells 34811.6 Challenges and Limitations 34911.7 Future Perspectives 35111.8 Conclusion 35412 Alginate Nanoparticles: Advances in Cancer Therapy 365Andleeb Amin and Showkat Ali Ganie12.1 Introduction 36612.2 Structure and Chemistry of Alginate 36712.3 Synthesis of Alginate Nanoparticles 36812.4 Application in Cancer Therapy 37112.5 Challenges and Future Directions 38312.6 Conclusion 385References 386Index 393

Luqman Jameel Rather, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher at the College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P.R. China. He has authored more than 80 research publications and edited two books. His expertise spans nanomaterial-based textiles, antimicrobial and UV-protective coatings, eco-friendly dyeing techniques, and biomedical applications of biopolymers. Showkat Ali Ganie, PhD is a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P.R. China. He has published numerous research articles in various reputed peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. His areas of research include the chemical functionalization of biopolymers and polymers through organic reactions for various applications like drug delivery, biomaterials, biomedical applications, and hydrogels. Mohammed A. Assiri, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and chemical reactivity of chromone and 1,2,4-triazine compounds containing sulfur and phosphorus heterocycles and the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel classes of α-amino-phosphonate and α-hydrazinophosphonate bearing different heterocyclic systems with new biological properties.

• Preface xviiAcknowledgment xix1 Introduction to Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential 1Suvarna Yenduri and Naga Prashant K.1.1 Introduction 21.2 Role of Polysaccharides in Current Cancer Therapy 61.3 Challenges 161.4 Future Directions and Potential Therapies 171.5 Conclusion 172 Structural Insights and Biophysical Properties of Polysaccharide Biomaterials for Enhancing Cancer Therapy 25Shahnawaz Ahamd Bhat, Zeenat Islam, Shazia Shaheen Mir and Luqman Jameel Rather2.1 Introduction 262.2 Structural Aspects of Polysaccharides 282.3 Biophysical Properties Relevant to Cancer Therapy 312.4 Interaction Mechanisms with Cancer Cells and the TME 342.5 Polysaccharide-Based Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy 372.6 Challenges and Future Perspectives 422.7 Conclusion 473 Inulin-Based Nanoparticles: Advancing Cancer Therapeutics through Biopolymer Innovations 57Tariq Ahmad Mir, S. Wazed Ali and Showkat Ali Ganie3.1 Introduction 583.2 Chemistry and Structure of Inulin 593.3 Biodegradability: Advantages for Biomedical Applications 613.4 Synthesis and Fabrication of Inulin-Based Nanoparticles 623.5 Applications in Cancer Therapy 643.6 Mechanisms of Action in Cancer Cells 663.7 Case Studies and Examples 673.8 Challenges and Limitations 733.9 Emerging Trends and Future Perspectives 743.10 Conclusion 764 Chitosan: Biomedical Applications and Cancer Therapeutic Potential 87Md Aamir Aftab, Iftkhar Ahmad, Asma Fatima and Saiqa Ikram4.1 Introduction 884.2 CS as Stabilizer for NPs 904.3 Biomedical Applications of CS 914.4 CS in Cancer Therapeutics 994.5 Modifications of CS and their Therapeutic Application 1064.6 Strategies for Enhancing Bioavailability 1084.7 Challenges and Future Prospects 1094.8 Conclusion 1105 Gum Acacia Synthetic Routes for Anticancer Treatment Development 121Tahira Bashir, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah Danish, Farhat Bano, Tayyaba Ijaz, Ji-Xin Tang and Muhammad Asmat Ullah Saleem5.1 Introduction 1225.2 Basic of Gum Acacia (Types, Structure, Chemical, and Physical Nature) 1255.3 Immunomodulatory Role of Gum Acacia 1285.4 Antitumor Properties of Gum Acacia 1295.5 Advancement in Gum Acacia Applications 1315.6 Current Challenges and Future Prospective 1355.7 Conclusion 1366 Cyclodextrins: Inclusion Complexes and Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy 149Mohd Hafizur Rehman Ansari, Mohan Lal and Ravindra K. Rawal6.1 Introduction 1506.2 Impact of CDs on Properties of Formulations 1526.3 Application of CDs 1556.4 DD Approaches 1626.5 CDs-Based Nanostructures in Cancer Therapy 1696.6 CDs as Carriers of the Anticancer Drug Development 1706.7 Future Perspective/Direction 1826.8 Conclusion 1837 Hyaluronic Acid: Targeted Delivery Strategies for Anticancer Agents 193Atharva Anand Mahajan, Gauri Panzade, Souhardya Bandyopadhyay and Subhrojyoti Ghosh7.1 Introduction 1947.2 HA: Structure and Biological Role 1987.3 Mechanism of Targeting Via HA 2007.4 HA-Driven DDS 2037.5 HA Modified Delivery Vehicles for Specific Anticancer Agents 2067.6 Challenges in HA-Based Targeted Delivery 2087.7 Clinical Applications and Current Advances 2117.8 Challenges in Advancing HA-Based Delivery Systems from Preclinical to Clinical Stages 2137.9 Conclusion 2148 Beta Glucagon: Immunomodulatory Effects and Anti-Cancer Applications 223Mehwish Rafiq, Muhammad Asmat Ullah Saleem, Ali Raza, Abdullah Ahmed Butt, Farhat Bano, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah Danish and Ji-Xin Tang8.1 Introduction 2248.2 Importance of Immunomodulatory and Anti-Cancer Properties 2268.3 Understanding Beta-Glucan 2278.4 Methods of Extraction 2328.5 Methods of Purification 2348.6 Beta-Glucan Immunomodulatory Effects 2358.7 Anti-Cancer Properties 2418.8 Beta-Glucan and the Gut Microbiota 2448.9 Advances in Beta-Glucan Research and Applications 2508.10 Challenges and Future Directions 2548.11 Conclusion 2589 Guar Gum: Structural Modification Strategies for Therapeutic Anticancer Effect 267Bushra Munir, Iqra Noor, Maimoona Nazir, Abdul Ghaffar, Shazba Aziz, Sadia Falak and Hunaira Nasreen9.1 Introduction 2689.2 Structure and Composition of Guar Gum 2709.3 Physical and Chemical Properties of Guar Gum 2719.4 Chemical Modification of Guar Gum 2759.5 Enzymatic Modifications of Guar Gum 2799.6 Characterization Techniques 2819.7 Application of Guar Gum in Health Management 2829.8 Drug–Polymer Interaction 2889.9 Comparative Evaluation of Guar Gum with Other Biopolymers 2899.10 Synergistic Potential of Guar Gum Derivatives in Combinatorial Cancer Treatments 2909.11 Future Prospective 2939.12 Conclusion 29310 Agarose: Nanostructured Platforms for Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment 301Haleema Ahmad and Mohd Salik Usmani10.1 Introduction 30210.2 Nanostructured Platforms for Drug Delivery 30410.3 Synthesis and Fabrication of Agarose-Based Nanostructures 30710.4 Functionalization and Modification of Agarose Nanostructures 31110.5 Mechanisms of Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment 31510.6 Applications of Agarose Nanostructures in Cancer Therapy 31910.7 In Vitro and In Vivo Studies 32310.8 Clinical Translation and Challenges 32610.9 Scalability and Regulatory Challenges 32810.10 Future Directions and Emerging Trends 33010.11 Conclusion 33211 Pectin: Chemical Functionalization for Targeted Cancer Treatment 339Shazia Shahen Mir, Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat, Md. Saddam, Zeenat Islam and Luqman Jameel Rather11.1 Introduction 34011.2 Structure and Chemistry of Pectin 34111.3 Functionalization and Modification of Pectin 34411.4 Applications in Targeted Cancer Therapy 34511.5 Mechanisms of Action in Cancer Cells 34811.6 Challenges and Limitations 34911.7 Future Perspectives 35111.8 Conclusion 35412 Alginate Nanoparticles: Advances in Cancer Therapy 365Andleeb Amin and Showkat Ali Ganie12.1 Introduction 36612.2 Structure and Chemistry of Alginate 36712.3 Synthesis of Alginate Nanoparticles 36812.4 Application in Cancer Therapy 37112.5 Challenges and Future Directions 38312.6 Conclusion 385References 386Index 393

Luqman Jameel Rather, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher at the College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P.R. China. He has authored more than 80 research publications and edited two books. His expertise spans nanomaterial-based textiles, antimicrobial and UV-protective coatings, eco-friendly dyeing techniques, and biomedical applications of biopolymers. Showkat Ali Ganie, PhD is a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P.R. China. He has published numerous research articles in various reputed peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. His areas of research include the chemical functionalization of biopolymers and polymers through organic reactions for various applications like drug delivery, biomaterials, biomedical applications, and hydrogels. Mohammed A. Assiri, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and chemical reactivity of chromone and 1,2,4-triazine compounds containing sulfur and phosphorus heterocycles and the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel classes of α-amino-phosphonate and α-hydrazinophosphonate bearing different heterocyclic systems with new biological properties.

• Preface xviiAcknowledgment xix1 Introduction to Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential 1Suvarna Yenduri and Naga Prashant K.1.1 Introduction 21.2 Role of Polysaccharides in Current Cancer Therapy 61.3 Challenges 161.4 Future Directions and Potential Therapies 171.5 Conclusion 172 Structural Insights and Biophysical Properties of Polysaccharide Biomaterials for Enhancing Cancer Therapy 25Shahnawaz Ahamd Bhat, Zeenat Islam, Shazia Shaheen Mir and Luqman Jameel Rather2.1 Introduction 262.2 Structural Aspects of Polysaccharides 282.3 Biophysical Properties Relevant to Cancer Therapy 312.4 Interaction Mechanisms with Cancer Cells and the TME 342.5 Polysaccharide-Based Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy 372.6 Challenges and Future Perspectives 422.7 Conclusion 473 Inulin-Based Nanoparticles: Advancing Cancer Therapeutics through Biopolymer Innovations 57Tariq Ahmad Mir, S. Wazed Ali and Showkat Ali Ganie3.1 Introduction 583.2 Chemistry and Structure of Inulin 593.3 Biodegradability: Advantages for Biomedical Applications 613.4 Synthesis and Fabrication of Inulin-Based Nanoparticles 623.5 Applications in Cancer Therapy 643.6 Mechanisms of Action in Cancer Cells 663.7 Case Studies and Examples 673.8 Challenges and Limitations 733.9 Emerging Trends and Future Perspectives 743.10 Conclusion 764 Chitosan: Biomedical Applications and Cancer Therapeutic Potential 87Md Aamir Aftab, Iftkhar Ahmad, Asma Fatima and Saiqa Ikram4.1 Introduction 884.2 CS as Stabilizer for NPs 904.3 Biomedical Applications of CS 914.4 CS in Cancer Therapeutics 994.5 Modifications of CS and their Therapeutic Application 1064.6 Strategies for Enhancing Bioavailability 1084.7 Challenges and Future Prospects 1094.8 Conclusion 1105 Gum Acacia Synthetic Routes for Anticancer Treatment Development 121Tahira Bashir, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah Danish, Farhat Bano, Tayyaba Ijaz, Ji-Xin Tang and Muhammad Asmat Ullah Saleem5.1 Introduction 1225.2 Basic of Gum Acacia (Types, Structure, Chemical, and Physical Nature) 1255.3 Immunomodulatory Role of Gum Acacia 1285.4 Antitumor Properties of Gum Acacia 1295.5 Advancement in Gum Acacia Applications 1315.6 Current Challenges and Future Prospective 1355.7 Conclusion 1366 Cyclodextrins: Inclusion Complexes and Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy 149Mohd Hafizur Rehman Ansari, Mohan Lal and Ravindra K. Rawal6.1 Introduction 1506.2 Impact of CDs on Properties of Formulations 1526.3 Application of CDs 1556.4 DD Approaches 1626.5 CDs-Based Nanostructures in Cancer Therapy 1696.6 CDs as Carriers of the Anticancer Drug Development 1706.7 Future Perspective/Direction 1826.8 Conclusion 1837 Hyaluronic Acid: Targeted Delivery Strategies for Anticancer Agents 193Atharva Anand Mahajan, Gauri Panzade, Souhardya Bandyopadhyay and Subhrojyoti Ghosh7.1 Introduction 1947.2 HA: Structure and Biological Role 1987.3 Mechanism of Targeting Via HA 2007.4 HA-Driven DDS 2037.5 HA Modified Delivery Vehicles for Specific Anticancer Agents 2067.6 Challenges in HA-Based Targeted Delivery 2087.7 Clinical Applications and Current Advances 2117.8 Challenges in Advancing HA-Based Delivery Systems from Preclinical to Clinical Stages 2137.9 Conclusion 2148 Beta Glucagon: Immunomodulatory Effects and Anti-Cancer Applications 223Mehwish Rafiq, Muhammad Asmat Ullah Saleem, Ali Raza, Abdullah Ahmed Butt, Farhat Bano, Muhammad Ahsan Ullah Danish and Ji-Xin Tang8.1 Introduction 2248.2 Importance of Immunomodulatory and Anti-Cancer Properties 2268.3 Understanding Beta-Glucan 2278.4 Methods of Extraction 2328.5 Methods of Purification 2348.6 Beta-Glucan Immunomodulatory Effects 2358.7 Anti-Cancer Properties 2418.8 Beta-Glucan and the Gut Microbiota 2448.9 Advances in Beta-Glucan Research and Applications 2508.10 Challenges and Future Directions 2548.11 Conclusion 2589 Guar Gum: Structural Modification Strategies for Therapeutic Anticancer Effect 267Bushra Munir, Iqra Noor, Maimoona Nazir, Abdul Ghaffar, Shazba Aziz, Sadia Falak and Hunaira Nasreen9.1 Introduction 2689.2 Structure and Composition of Guar Gum 2709.3 Physical and Chemical Properties of Guar Gum 2719.4 Chemical Modification of Guar Gum 2759.5 Enzymatic Modifications of Guar Gum 2799.6 Characterization Techniques 2819.7 Application of Guar Gum in Health Management 2829.8 Drug–Polymer Interaction 2889.9 Comparative Evaluation of Guar Gum with Other Biopolymers 2899.10 Synergistic Potential of Guar Gum Derivatives in Combinatorial Cancer Treatments 2909.11 Future Prospective 2939.12 Conclusion 29310 Agarose: Nanostructured Platforms for Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment 301Haleema Ahmad and Mohd Salik Usmani10.1 Introduction 30210.2 Nanostructured Platforms for Drug Delivery 30410.3 Synthesis and Fabrication of Agarose-Based Nanostructures 30710.4 Functionalization and Modification of Agarose Nanostructures 31110.5 Mechanisms of Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment 31510.6 Applications of Agarose Nanostructures in Cancer Therapy 31910.7 In Vitro and In Vivo Studies 32310.8 Clinical Translation and Challenges 32610.9 Scalability and Regulatory Challenges 32810.10 Future Directions and Emerging Trends 33010.11 Conclusion 33211 Pectin: Chemical Functionalization for Targeted Cancer Treatment 339Shazia Shahen Mir, Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat, Md. Saddam, Zeenat Islam and Luqman Jameel Rather11.1 Introduction 34011.2 Structure and Chemistry of Pectin 34111.3 Functionalization and Modification of Pectin 34411.4 Applications in Targeted Cancer Therapy 34511.5 Mechanisms of Action in Cancer Cells 34811.6 Challenges and Limitations 34911.7 Future Perspectives 35111.8 Conclusion 35412 Alginate Nanoparticles: Advances in Cancer Therapy 365Andleeb Amin and Showkat Ali Ganie12.1 Introduction 36612.2 Structure and Chemistry of Alginate 36712.3 Synthesis of Alginate Nanoparticles 36812.4 Application in Cancer Therapy 37112.5 Challenges and Future Directions 38312.6 Conclusion 385References 386Index 393