Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery Systems in Photodynamic Therapy of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) involving a malignant tumour remains one of the greatest contributing causes of fatal mortality and has become the third globally ranked malignancy in terms of cancer-associated deaths. Conventional CRC treatment approaches such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the most utilized approaches to treat this disease. However, they are limited by low selectivity and systemic toxicity, so they cannot completely eradicate this disease. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging therapeutic modality that exerts selective cytotoxicity to cancerous cells through the activation of photosensitizers (PSs) under light irradiation to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), which then cause cancer cell death. Cumulative research findings have highlighted the significant role of traditional PDT in CRC treatment; however, the therapeutic efficacy of the classical PDT strategy is restricted due to skin photosensitivity, poor cancerous tissue specificity, and limited penetration of light. The application of nanoparticles in PDT can mitigate some of these shortcomings and enhance the targeting ability of PS in order to effectively use PDT against CRC as well as to reduce systemic side effects. Although 2D culture models are widely used in cancer research, they have some limitations. Therefore, 3D models in CRC PDT, particularly multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTS), have attracted researchers. This review summarizes several photosensitizers that are currently used in CRC PDT and gives an overview of recent advances in nanoparticle application for enhanced CRC PDT. In addition, the progress of 3D-model applications in CRC PDT is discussed.

Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research on Cancer Photodynamic Therapy: Focus on Nano-Related Research

“…And she and others also attempted to develop mechanism-based PDT combination strategies involving multiple inhibitors of oncogenic pathways for tumor therapy ( Verma et al, 2007 ; Huang et al, 2016 ). While Abrahamse Heidi mainly explored various biocompatible nanoparticles and nanocarriers for enhanced CPDT applications ( Dhilip Kumar and Abrahamse, 2021 ; Winifred Nompumelelo Simelane and Abrahamse, 2021 ). Similarly, Zhang Xianzheng focused on the investigation of nanoplatform or nanoparticles for enhanced PDT especially a variety of approaches to overcome hypoxic tumors ( Zheng et al, 2016 ; Liu et al, 2017 ; Li et al, 2019 ).…”

Photodynamic therapy improves the clinical efficacy of advanced colorectal cancer and recruits immune cells into the tumor immune microenvironment

“…Despite the increasing availability of an arsenal of antitumor weapons, non-specificity, drug resistance, low response rates, and toxic severe side effects are still the main challenges faced by current tumor treatment strategies (11). As an alternative intervention to destroy cancer cells, PDT can compensate for some deficiencies associated with conventional tumor therapy (12). In addition to the precise clinical efficacy, PDT also has the advantages of less pain, high acceptance, and repeatable operation.…”

Overcoming challenges in cancer treatment: Nano‐enabled photodynamic therapy as a viable solution

“…There are many benefits of using NPs in PS delivery, which has helped to address the issues using conventional PSs. Both organic and inorganic nanocarriers, such as silica NPs, silver, gold, quantum dots, liposomes, lipid NPs, and polymeric NPs have been employed as PS carriers in cancer PDT (Winifred Nompumelelo Simelane & Abrahamse, 2021). Liposomes are an organic NP having an aqueous core and phospholipid bilayers surrounding it for efficient delivery of PS (Lucky et al, 2015).…”