Nanomedicine-Based Therapeutic Approaches in Colorectal Cancer Using Patient-Derived Xenograft Models - Prospects and Challenges

Sep 22, 2026

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Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet effective clinical management is constrained by tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, and metastatic spread. This review explains how nanomedicine can address these issues through improved drug delivery to tumor sites, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. It emphasizes patient-derived xenograft models as key preclinical tools that retain original tumor histology and genetics. Nanocarrier systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and dendrimers show improved targeting and therapeutic promise, while challenges remain.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

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Introduction

Nanomedicine-based therapeutic rationale

Molecular mechanisms and risk factors in colorectal cancer

International Journal of Nanomedicine Open Access Full Text Article REVIEW Nanomedicine-Based Therapeutic Approaches in Colorectal Cancer Using Patient-Derived Xenograft Models: Prospects and Challenges Xinyu Wang 1 , Jinbao Xiao2 , Yongping Yang 3 , Tao Li 3 1Department of Gastrointestinal Nutrition & Hernia Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, People’s Republic of China Correspondence: Tao Li, Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, People’s Republic of China, Email [litao21@jlu.edu.cn](litao21@jlu.edu.cn) | Abstract: Colorectal cancer is leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies have improved treatment options, effective clinical management remains limited by tumor heterogeneity, resistance to therapy, and metastatic spread. In recent years, nanomedicine has gained attention as an effective strategy to address these challenges by improving drug delivery to tumor sites, enhancing bioavailability, and reducing systemic toxicity. Patient-derived xenograft models have become an important tool in preclinical cancer research because they preserve the histological and genetic characteristics of original human tumors and more closely reflect clinical disease behavior. This review summarizes recent advances in nanomedicinebased approaches for colorectal cancer treatment, with a particular focus on their evaluation using patient-derived xenograft models. A range of nanocarrier systems, including nanoparticles, liposomes, and dendrimers, have been explored for delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, biologics, and small-molecule inhibitors, demonstrating improved tumor targeting and therapeutic potential. Despite these encouraging developments, several challenges remain, including the complexity of tumor microenvironment, variability between patients, and concerns related to safety, scalability, and clinical translation. This review highlights current progress to enable the successful application of nanomedicine-based therapies for colorectal cancer in clinical practice.
Keywords: nanomedicine, colorectal cancer treatment, patient-derived xenograft models, drug delivery systems, tumor heterogeneity, chemotherapy resistance | | --- | | Introduction
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a multifactorial and complex disease, ranking as the third most diagnosed malignancy and the second most prevalent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The risk factors contributing to CRC are shown in Figure 1. The onset of CRC is characterized by the transformation of the epithelial cells within the colorectal mucosa, progressing through distinct stages such as hyperplasia, varying degrees ofatypical hyperplasia (mild, moderate, or severe), and the formation of adenomas, eventually culminating in carcinoma. The underlying carcinogenic mechanisms are frequently initiated by factors that cause genetic alterations, leading to the conversion of normal cells into malignant ones. This progression is marked by key morphological stages, including epithelial hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, adenoma formation, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma. In 1990, Fearon and Vogelstein introduced a molecular model to describe the initiation and progression of CRC.1 Subsequent studies have identified three central molecular mechanisms that contribute to CRC development: (i) chromosomal instability, a hallmark of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP);2 (ii) genetic mutations, particularly those linked to Lynch syndrome and other forms of sporadic mismatch repair (MMR) deficiencies;3 and (iii) hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoters.4 Th

FAQs

Why are current colorectal cancer treatments limited in effectiveness?

Effectiveness is limited by tumor heterogeneity, resistance to therapy, and metastatic spread.

What advantages do patient-derived xenograft models offer for this research?

They preserve the histological and genetic characteristics of original human tumors and more closely reflect clinical disease behavior.

Which nanocarrier systems are discussed for delivering therapies?

The review describes nanoparticles, liposomes, and dendrimers for delivering chemotherapeutic agents, biologics, and small-molecule inhibitors.

Sep 22, 2026

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