Advances and challenges in drug repurposing in precision therapeutics of colorectal cancer.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, representing a significant health burden. Despite advancements in traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, these approaches still face challenges, including high costs, limited efficacy, and drug resistance. Drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy for CRC treatment, offering advantages with reduced development timelines, lower costs, and improved drug accessibility. This review explores drug repurposing strategies for CRC, supported by multidisciplinary technologies, and discusses the current challenges in the field.