International Journal of Nanomedicine (Jan 2025)

Localized Drug Delivery in Different Gastrointestinal Cancers: Navigating Challenges and Advancing Nanotechnological Solutions

  • Hasan AM,
  • Cavalu S,
  • Kira AY,
  • Hamad RS,
  • Abdel-Reheim MA,
  • Elmorsy EA,
  • El-kott AF,
  • Morsy K,
  • AlSheri AS,
  • Negm S,
  • Saber S

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 20
pp. 741 – 770

Abstract

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Alexandru Madalin Hasan,1 Simona Cavalu,1 Ahmed Y Kira,2 Rabab S Hamad,3 Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim,4 Elsayed A Elmorsy,5 Attalla F El-kott,6,7 Kareem Morsy,6,8 Ali S AlSheri,6 Sally Negm,9 Sameh Saber10 1Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, 410087, Romania; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, 11152, Egypt; 3Biological Sciences Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra, 11961, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, 51452, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt; 8Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 9Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and Art, Mahyel Aseer, King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia; 10Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, 11152, EgyptCorrespondence: Ahmed Y Kira, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, ‎Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt, +11152, Tel +2 01026462867, Fax +2 0502770140, Email [email protected] Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra, 11961, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Different types of cancers affect the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), starting from the oral cavity and extending to the colon. In general, most of the current research focuses on the systemic delivery of the therapeutic agents, which leads to undesired side effects and a limited enhancement in the therapeutic outcomes. As a result, localized delivery within gastrointestinal (GI) cancers is favorable in overcoming these limitations. However, the localized delivery via oral administration faces many challenges related to the complex structure of GIT (varied pH levels and transit times) as well as the harsh environment within tumor cells (hypoxia, efflux pumps, and acidity). To overcome these obstacles, nano-drug delivery systems (NDDs) have been designed and proved their potential by exploiting these challenges in favor of offering a specific delivery to the desired target. The current review begins with an overview of different GI cancers and their impact globally. Then, it discusses the current treatment approaches and their corresponding limitations. Additionally, the different challenges associated with localized drug delivery for GI cancers are summarized. Finally, the review discusses in detail the recent therapeutic and diagnostic applications of NDDs that have been conducted in oral, esophageal, gastric, colon, and liver cancers, aiming to offer valuable insights into the current and future state of utilizing NDDs for the local treatment of GI cancers. Keywords: gastrointestinal cancer, localized delivery, stimuli-responsive nanomaterials, gastro-retentive delivery systems

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