Chitosan-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review
Urszula Piotrowska1,2, Joanna Szatko3, Aleksandra Nowakowska3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Str., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
Marine Drugs
|December 24, 2025
Summary
Chitosan (CS) shows promise for colorectal cancer (CRC) drug delivery systems (DDS). Ligand-modified CS-DDSs improve targeting and efficacy, but more in vivo and clinical studies are needed for translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Chitosan (CS) is a biocompatible biopolymer suitable for developing drug delivery systems (DDS).
- CS-based DDS are being explored for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy due to their unique properties.
- Surface functionalization of CS allows for targeted delivery strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review experimental studies on CS-based DDS for CRC.
- To compare non-targeted CS-DDS with ligand-modified CS-DDS regarding targeting efficiency, drug release, and biological outcomes.
- To identify advances and limitations in CS-based DDS for CRC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review of experimental studies on CS-based DDS for CRC.
- Categorization of studies into non-targeted and ligand-modified CS-DDS.
- Analysis of targeting moieties (folic acid, hyaluronic acid, galactose) and their receptor-mediated uptake.
Main Results:
- Ligand modification (e.g., folic acid, hyaluronic acid, galactose) enhanced cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in CRC cells.
- Ligand-modified CS-DDS showed improved tumor-selective cytotoxicity compared to non-targeted systems.
- Limited in vivo validation and absence of clinical trials for CS-based nanocarriers in CRC treatment.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan is a versatile platform for targeted nanomedicine in CRC.
- Ligand-functionalized CS-DDS demonstrate enhanced preclinical efficacy.
- Further in vivo and clinical evaluations are crucial for translational progress of CS-based DDS in CRC therapy.
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