Researchers Develop Self-Protecting Nanoparticles for Effective Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

A team of researchers led by Prof. Jin-Wook Yoo from Pusan National University, Republic of Korea, developed a unique drug delivery strategy for CRC therapy. In their exciting work, they proposed a drug delivery strategy by enclosing CRC cell-activated nanoconjugates (CTNCs) inside an alginate (Alg) matrix for highly specific and localized drug release. Prof. Yoo explains, „The main aim of this study is to develop CTNCs-in-alginate (Alg/ CTNCs) by synthesizing a hyaluronic acid (HA)-Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-irinotecan (IRI) copolymer (HPI), followed by self-assembly for nanoconjugate formation and incorporation into an alginate matrix for highly CRC-specific oral drug delivery that bypasses the systemic circulation“. This paper was made available online on 3rd January 2025 and to be published in Volume 505 of the Chemical Engineering Journal on 1st February 2025.