Update on Mucoadhesive Approaches to target Drug Delivery in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is indeed public health concern worldwide and refers to the development of cancerous growth in the colon as well as the rectum. CRC is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second most lethal cancer globally, highlighting its significant impact on public health. CRC was responsible for 9.4% of cancer-associated deaths in 2020 underlining its severity as a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The recent colorectal cancer treatment consists of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, but the research is continuous for more effective therapeutic interventions. Mucoadhesive nanocarriers have appeared as a propitious approach to improve the administration of anticancer drugs to the colorectal mucosal layer, enhancing the residence time of the drug, permeation ability, and release of the drug at the target site while reducing toxic effects. The improved permeability of the ulcerated mucosa lining in pathological conditions and evading the hepatic first-pass metabolism permits the enhanced absorption of sparingly water-soluble anti-cancer drugs. Consequently, mucoadhesive nanocarriers prove advantageous by attaching to the mucosal layer and releasing the optimum amount of drug at the specific site This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of several mucoadhesive nanocarriers formulations such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanoemulsions, and liposomes, in achieving tumor-targeting drug delivery for colon cancer, solubility and bioavailability enhancement of anticancer drugs for colon cancer treatment.