Recent Advances in the Development of Polymeric Nanocarrier Formulations for the Treatment of Colon Cancer

Background: Many efforts have been explored in the last decade to treat colon cancer but nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are making a vital contribution in the improvement of drug delivery to colon cancer cells. Objective: In this review, we attempt to highlight recent advancements in the development of novel drug delivery systems of nanoparticles for the targeted drug delivery to colon. Polymers like Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) aptamer chitosan, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Chitosan (CS)– Carboxymethyl Starch (CMS), silsesquioxane capped mesoporous silica, Near IR (NIR) fluorescent Human Serum Albumin (HAS), poly(ethylene glycol)-conjugated hyaluronic acid etc. have been discussed by employing various anticancer drugs like doxorubicin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil etc. Conclusion: These novel drug delivery systems have been determined to be more efficacious in terms of stability, sustained and targeted drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy, improved bioavailability and enhanced anticancer activity.