Lipid-based nanomedicine for colorectal cancer: Progress and prospects

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as a common disease and a primary associated to cancer-related mortality. Treatment options for CRC encompass surgical procedures, targeted therapies, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy. Optimal treatment outcomes are attained through the judicious combination of two or more treatment modalities, tailored to the specific stage of CRC. A diverse range of therapeutic medications exists for CRC treatment. However, achieving the necessary therapeutic concentration often mandates the administration of elevated doses of chemotherapeutic agents, resulting in a variety of side effects such as severe gastrointestinal reactions, hematological issues, neurological complications, cardiac challenges, and dermatological reactions. Hence, there exist a critical requirement for an intelligent delivery system capable of enhancing therapeutic efficacy while safeguarding and delivering high doses of chemotherapeutic agents. Colon-specific drug delivery systems, especially those rooted in nanotechnology, hold promise as a viable solution to tackle these obstacles. This review aims to examine the advancements in lipid-based nanotechnologies for treating CRC, while also delving into the associated challenges and potential prospects of these therapeutic methodologies.