Bioengineered carbohydrate polymers for colon-specific drug release: Current trends and future prospects

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents a significant global health challenge, with conventional chemotherapy often causing systemic toxicity due to poor drug selectivity.
• Bioengineered carbohydrate polymers are emerging as effective carriers for colon-specific drug delivery, aiming to improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of current advancements and future prospects in bioengineered carbohydrate polymer synthesis for colon-specific drug delivery in colorectal cancer therapy.
• To explore various strategies for achieving targeted drug release in the colon and enhancing tumor selectivity.

Main Methods:

• Review of colon-targeted drug release techniques, including enzyme-sensitive, pH-responsive, and microbiota-activated polymers.
• Investigation of active targeting strategies, such as ligand conjugation, to improve tumor selectivity and cellular uptake.
• Examination of biomimetic approaches like protein corona engineering and cell membrane coating for enhanced nanocarrier performance.

Main Results:

• Bioengineered carbohydrate polymers demonstrate tunable properties for colon-specific delivery, utilizing natural polymers like hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and pectin.
• Integration of active targeting and combination therapy strategies shows potential for improved efficacy and overcoming drug resistance.
• Biomimetic advances and intelligent systems offer enhanced biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and tumor penetration for nanocarriers.

Conclusions:

• Bioengineered carbohydrate polymers represent a significant advancement in colon-specific drug delivery for colorectal cancer, offering improved therapeutic potential.
• Future directions include the development of sophisticated, responsive systems for precise and regulated drug distribution, ultimately aiming to improve patient care.