Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Summary
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has emerged as a transformative approach in colorectal cancer therapy, addressing the limitations of conventional chemotherapy by enhancing drug stability, circulation time and tumour selectivity. Colorectal tumours present a challenging microenvironment characterised by heterogeneous vasculature, acidic pH and elevated enzyme activity. To exploit these features, a variety of nanocarriers—ranging from liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and dendrimers to inorganic constructs such as silica and two-dimensional materials—have been engineered to protect chemotherapeutics from premature degradation and off-target toxicity. Passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect allows preferential accumulation in tumour tissue, while active targeting through surface conjugation of ligands (for example folic acid, peptides or antibodies) promotes receptor-mediated uptake by malignant cells. Stimuli-responsive systems that release payloads in response to pH, redox potential or specific enzymes further refine site-specific delivery. Multifunctional designs incorporating imaging agents enable real-time monitoring of distribution and therapeutic response. Recent innovations include carrier-free supramolecular co-assemblies that combine chemotherapeutics with resistance modulators, and two-dimensional platforms that integrate drug, gene and photothermal therapies. Collectively, these advances promise to overcome multidrug resistance, reduce systemic side effects and usher in more personalised strategies for precision oncology in colorectal cancer.
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Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Colorectal Cancer Treatment publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for colorectal cancer treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Nanoparticle: A particle sized between 1 and 100 nanometres used as a carrier for therapeutic agents.
Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect: Passive accumulation of nanoparticles in tumour tissue due to leaky vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage.
Active targeting: Functionalisation of nanoparticles with ligands that bind specific receptors on cancer cells to enhance cellular uptake.
Supramolecular assembly: Organisation of molecules into defined nanostructures through non-covalent interactions such as π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding.
Graphene oxide: A two-dimensional carbonaceous nanomaterial with a high surface area, used for drug loading, gene delivery and photothermal therapy in cancer applications.
References
- A carrier-free supramolecular nano-twin-drug for overcoming irinotecan-resistance and enhancing efficacy against colorectal cancer. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2023).
- 5-Fluorouracil-Loaded Folic-Acid-Fabricated Chitosan Nanoparticles for Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Cargo. Polymers (2022).
- Promising Therapeutic Strategies for Colorectal Cancer Treatment Based on Nanomaterials. Pharmaceutics (2022).
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