Treating colon cancers with a non-conventional yet strategic approach: An overview of various nanoparticulate systems

Regardless of progress in therapy management which are developed for colon cancer (CC), it remains the third most common cause of mortality due to cancers around the world. Conventional medicines pose side effects due to untoward action on non-target cells. Their inability to deliver drugs to the affected regions of the colon locally, in a reproducible manner raises a concern towards the efficacy of therapy. In this regard, nanoparticles emerged as a promising drug delivery system due to their flexibility in designing, drug release modulation and cancer cell targeting. Not only are nanoparticles making their way into colon cancer research in the revolution of conventional onco-therapeutics, but they also offer promising scope in the development of colon cancer vaccines and theranostic tools. However, there are challenges with respect to drug delivery using nanoparticles, which may hamper the delivery of these novel carriers to the colon. The present review addresses recent advents in nanotechnology for colon-specific drug delivery (CDDS) which may help to overcome the existing challenges and intends to recognize futuristic potentials in the treatment of CC with CDDS. [Display omitted] •Existing status of colon cancer and strategies to manage them using nanotechnology.•Nanoformulations for delivery of anticancer drugs to colon.•Effective strategies for delivering nanocarriers to the target site.•Challenges for treating nanocarriers to colon cancer.