Targeted nanoparticles for colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly prevalent worldwide, and despite notable progress in treatment still leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The use of nanoparticles as a drug delivery system has become one of the most promising strategies for cancer therapy. Targeted nanoparticles could take advantage of differentially expressed molecules on the surface of tumor cells, providing effective release of cytotoxic drugs. Several efforts have recently reported the use of diverse molecules as ligands on the surface of nanoparticles to interact with the tumor cells, enabling the effective delivery of antitumor agents. Here, we present recent advances in targeted nanoparticles against CRC and discuss the promising use of ligands and cellular targets in potential strategies for the treatment of CRCs.

Keywords: cancer therapy; colorectal cancer (CRC); controlled release; drug delivery; targeted nanoparticles.

Figure 1.. Stages of colorectal cancer according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer.

Stage 0; tumor confined to mucosa (carcinoma in situ). Stage I: tumor invades submucosa and muscularis propria. Stage II: tumor invades through the muscularis propria into pericolorectal tissues (IIA), then penetrates to the surface of the visceral peritoneum (IIB), then directly invades or is adherent to other organs or structures (IIC). Stage III: tumor invades muscularis propria with metastases in 1–3 regional lymph nodes or nearby tissue, or invades submucosa with metastases in 4–6 regional lymph nodes (IIIA). Then tumor penetrates to the surface of the visceral peritoneum with metastases in 1–3 regional lymph nodes or nearby tissue, or invades through the muscularis propria into pericolorectal tissues with metastases in 4–6 regional lymph nodes, or invades muscularis propria with metastases in 7 or more regional lymph nodes (IIIB). Then tumor penetrates to the surface of the visceral peritoneum with metastases in 4–6 regional lymph nodes, or invades through the muscularis propria into pericolorectal tissues with metastases in 7 or more regional lymph nodes, or directly invades or is adherent to other organs or structures with metastases in one or more regional lymph nodes (IIIC). Stage IV: metastasis confined to one organ or site (e.g., liver, lung, ovary, nonregional node).

Figure 2.. Targeted nanoparticle strategy for colorectal cancer.

The most common CRC biomarkers overexpressed in the cellular membrane and the typical molecules/ligands used on the surface of nanoparticles in targeting strategies: FR-α, EGFR, TAG-72. CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CRC: Colorectal cancer; EGFR: EGF receptor; FR-α: Folate receptor-α; TAG-72: Tumor-associated glycoprotein.