Table 1.
Examples of nanosized carriers as stimuli-responsive drug-delivery systems for CRC-targeted therapy.
| Stimuli | Nanosystem Description |
Biological Investigation Highlights |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redox-responsive | Xylan-SS-curcumin nanoparticles loaded with 5-FU prodrug (5-FU-stearic acid) | Low hemolytic activity. Higher cytotoxicity than free drugs on HT-29 and HCT-115 cells. |
[131] |
| pH-responsive | O’-methyl polyethylene glycol (omPEG) IRI liposomes and omPEG miR-200 solid lipid nanoparticle, both functionalized with mitochondria-targeting peptide K (RFKH) | Potent inductor of apoptosis that modulates effects of β-catenin/Multidrug Resistance (MDR)/apoptosis/Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) signaling pathways. In vivo superior tumor growth inhibition and low cytotoxicity on non-cancerous cells. |
[132] |
| Enzyme-responsive | Doxorubicin c-RGD polytyrosine nanoparticles | Efficiently internalized by αvβ5 overexpressing HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells and highly cytotoxic. Improve survival rate of tumor-bearing mice by efficient tumor growth inhibition compared with free DOX or DOX liposomal formulation. |
[133] |
| Magnetic-responsive | Hybrid liposome-magnetic nanoparticles loaded with Cy5.5 dye and oxaliplatin | Magnetic field stimulation enhanced cytotoxicity of nanoparticles in CC-531 adenocarcinoma cell cultures and directed the selective delivery of oxaliplatin at high concentrations in the targeted tissue. | [134] |
| Ultrasound-responsive | Anti-β-catenin small interfering RNA-loaded chitosan hydrochloride/carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticle | Efficiently internalized by HT-29 tumor cells and successfully suppress in vitro expression of β-catenin. | [135] |
| Light-responsive | Polythiophene nanoparticles | Exert no cytotoxicity on colon carcinoma CT-26 cells in the range of 25–250 µg/mL concentration, while NIR laser-triggered photothermal treatment in nanoparticle pretreated CT-26 cell cultures triggers reduction of cell viability and apoptosis. | [136] |