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Diatom-Based Nanomedicine for Colorectal Cancer Treatment: New Approaches for Old Challenges
Chiara Tramontano1,2, Luca De Stefano1, Ilaria Rea1
1Institute of Applied Science and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy-Naples Unit, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer is among the most prevalent and lethal cancers globally. To address this emergency, countries have developed diffuse screening programs and innovative surgical techniques with a consequent decrease in mortality rates in non-metastatic patients. However, five years after diagnosis, metastatic CRC is still characterized by less than 20% survival. Most patients with metastatic CRC cannot be surgically treated. For them, the only option is treatment with conventional chemotherapies, which cause harmful side effects in normal tissues. In this context, nanomedicine can help traditional medicine overcome its limits. Diatomite nanoparticles (DNPs) are innovative nano-based drug delivery systems derived from the powder of diatom shells. Diatomite is a porous biosilica largely found in many areas of the world and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pharmaceutical and animal feed formulations. Diatomite nanoparticles with a size between 300 and 400 nm were shown to be biocompatible nanocarriers capable of delivering chemotherapeutic agents against specific targets while reducing off-target effects. This review discusses the treatment of colorectal cancer with conventional methods, highlighting the drawbacks of standard medicine and exploring innovative options based on the use of diatomite-based drug delivery systems. Three targeted treatments are considered: anti-angiogenetic drugs, antimetastatic drugs, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Insights
Metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) survival remains low despite advances. Diatomite nanoparticles (DNPs) offer a promising nanomedicine approach for targeted chemotherapy delivery, potentially reducing side effects and improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Materials Science
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global cause of cancer mortality.
- While non-metastatic CRC shows improved survival due to screening and surgery, metastatic CRC (mCRC) survival remains poor (<20% at 5 years).
- Current treatments for mCRC, primarily chemotherapy, have significant side effects due to lack of targeting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review conventional colorectal cancer treatments and their limitations.
- To explore nanomedicine, specifically diatomite nanoparticles (DNPs), as an innovative drug delivery system for mCRC.
- To discuss targeted therapies (anti-angiogenesis, antimetastasis, immunotherapy) utilizing DNPs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of colorectal cancer treatment strategies.
- Analysis of nanomedicine applications, focusing on diatomite nanoparticles (DNPs).
- Discussion of DNP-mediated delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, anti-angiogenetic drugs, antimetastatic drugs, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Diatomite nanoparticles (300-400 nm) are biocompatible and can be functionalized for targeted drug delivery.
- DNPs show potential to reduce off-target side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy.
- This approach facilitates targeted delivery of various therapeutic agents against mCRC.
Conclusions:
- Nanomedicine, using DNPs, presents a viable strategy to overcome limitations of conventional mCRC chemotherapy.
- DNPs can serve as effective nanocarriers for targeted delivery of anti-angiogenetic, antimetastatic, and immunotherapeutic agents.
- This approach holds promise for improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer.
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