Nanoparticles in Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Innovations
Nanoparticles in Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Innovations
Hossein Izadi,1Faramarz Khosravi,2,*
1. Bachelor’s student, Microbiology group, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2. Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most commonly occurring malignancies globally and remains a principal contributor to cancer-related fatalities. Despite the advancements achieved in traditional therapeutic modalities, including surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, obstacles such as pharmacological resistance and adverse effects continue to impede therapeutic efficacy, particularly in advanced disease stages. The utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) in the therapeutic landscape of CRC presents a compelling alternative by optimizing drug delivery mechanisms, augmenting diagnostic capabilities, and enhancing treatment specificity. This article provides a comprehensive review of the contemporary advancements in the application of nanoparticles for CRC therapy, informed by recent empirical findings from four pivotal studies.
Methods: This review encapsulates recent progress in the application of nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). To facilitate a more profound comprehension of this subject, we executed a meticulous literature review employing databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and NCBI. This investigation yielded 14 relevant publications concerning various nanoparticle types, elucidating their capacity to enhance imaging modalities, augment drug delivery systems, and amplify the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, including phototherapy and immunotherapy.
Results: Diagnostic Enhancement: Nanoparticles, including quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have exhibited considerable potential in augmenting both molecular and conventional imaging methodologies. Real-time detection of CRC tumors was made possible by quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles boosted the signal visibility in neoplastic tissues using surface-enhanced Raman techniques.
Progress in Drug Delivery Techniques: Nanoparticles, especially liposomal and polymeric variants, have demonstrated notable improvements in the areas of drug solubility, stability, and targeted release strategies. For example, cetuximab-functionalized nanoparticles have proven effective in selectively administering chemotherapeutic agents to CRC cells, thereby minimizing off-target effects.
Overcoming Drug Resistance: Nanoparticles engineered for co-delivery of multiple pharmacological agents have shown promising outcomes in overcoming drug resistance associated with CRC treatment. This includes the concurrent delivery of “5-FU” and “irinotecan,” which resulted in enhanced therapeutic efficacy through improved drug accumulation within tumor sites.
Studies have looked into nanoparticles and their ability to improve photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) by acting as transporters for photosensitizing materials. These therapeutic strategies involve light-mediated activation to induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Also, nanoparticles are being employed to better the transport of immunotherapeutic agents, such as checkpoint inhibitors, aimed specifically at tumor areas, thereby amplifying the immune response to CRC cells.
Conclusion: Nanoparticles present substantial promise in advancing both the diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms of colorectal cancer. They improve imaging modalities, optimize drug delivery, and provide innovative strategies for addressing drug resistance. Additionally, nanoparticles demonstrate encouraging outcomes in enhancing phototherapy and immunotherapy for CRC. However, issues linger, encompassing the adaptation of preclinical milestones into clinical settings, maintaining biocompatibility, and optimizing processes for large-scale production. Ongoing research and clinical trials are imperative to fully exploit the potential of nanoparticles in CRC therapy, thereby offering renewed hope for enhanced patient prognoses.