Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, significantly reducing life expectancy. Among various types of cancer, colorectal cancer ranks third as the most frequently diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. According to WHO data, colorectal cancer caused approximately 935,173 deaths worldwide in 2020, affecting all age groups and genders. In the same year, the number of colorectal cancer-related deaths in Asia reached 506,449 cases.
It is estimated that the incidence of this cancer will rise to 1.1 million cases by 2030. Among colorectal cancer cases, colon cancer is more dominant, accounting for 59.5% of new cases and 61.9% of deaths, while rectal cancer contributes to 37.9% of new cases and 36.3% of deaths. Overall, colon cancer ranks fifth in the number of new cases compared to all cancer types, while rectal cancer ranks eighth in incidence and tenth in mortality.
Healthcare service availability
Patient survival rates depend on the availability of healthcare resources and the effectiveness of screening programs. Colorectal cancer develops due to the deactivation of the p53 pathway or mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene, along with the accumulation of mutations in K-ras, the transforming growth factor-beta pathway, and the formation of small polyps. The American Joint Committee on Cancer classifies colorectal cancer into five stages, with different treatment strategies for each stage. At stage 0, abnormal colon cells or mucosal polyps can be completely cured through surgical resection if detected early.
In stages I and II, surgical excision remains the primary treatment method. Meanwhile, for stages III and IV, adjuvant chemotherapy is used, including drugs such as oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and doxorubicin. However, anticancer drugs have several drawbacks, such as hydrophobic properties, low water solubility, limited biological distribution, and potential drug resistance. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing unwanted side effects.
Natural product contribution
To date, research and development of natural products have contributed to nearly 50% of existing cancer treatments, either directly or indirectly. Approximately 800 plant species and their extracts have been identified as having anticancer properties. Phytochemicals found in plants have been proven to provide significant health benefits, making plant extracts highly attractive to researchers due to their high effectiveness and relatively lower side effects. Furthermore, in developing countries, where conventional medicine can be a financial burden, plants offer a more affordable and accessible alternative therapy. Natural products play a crucial role as pharmaceuticals, supplements, and key compounds in the pharmaceutical industry due to their safety and sustainable availability.
This study aims to develop a dual-responsive nanohybrid with a core–shell structure based on disulfide bonds to enhance oral delivery and targeted release of polyphenols in the colon, triggered by pH changes and redox stimuli. In this development, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were selected as the nanohybrid core due to their high porosity, thermal stability, and good biocompatibility.
MSN has a large surface area with silanol groups that enable stable and uniform coating with materials such as alginate. To control the rapid release of polyphenols due to the porous structure of MSN, an alginate layer was chosen for its biocompatibility, pH sensitivity, and mucoadhesive properties. Additionally, disulfide bonds between alginate and MSN allow for targeted drug release in the colon environment. This nanohybrid is expected to improve the solubility and stability of the loaded polyphenols, protect them from degradation during digestion, and maintain their therapeutic potential for more effective colorectal cancer treatment.
Author: Prof. Dr. Alfiah Hayati, Dra., M.Kes
Article title: Alginate-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Smart Breakthrough as Curcumin and Quercetin Carriers for Colorectal Cancer Therapy
