Biomimetic nanocarriers for targeted therapy of colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide, with treatment often hampered by poor drug bioavailability, systemic toxicity, and resistance to conventional therapies. Biomimetic nanocarriers have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations by combining nanotechnology with the biological functions of cell-derived membranes. AREAS COVERED: This review critically examines the design, fabrication, and application of biomimetic nanocarriers specifically for colorectal cancer. Focusing on various membrane coatings, including red blood cells, platelets, and cancer cells, and their role in enhancing drug delivery efficacy. It further explores the application of these nanocarriers in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, photothermal therapy, and cancer theranostics, while also discussing advances in targeting the unique tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer.Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases covering publications from 2012 to May 2025. EXPERT OPINION: Despite encouraging preclinical results, the clinical translation of biomimetic nanocarriers faces challenges including scalability, membrane heterogeneity, immunogenicity, and regulatory hurdles. Furthermore, existing studies often overlook the unique features of the colorectal cancer tumor microenvironment. Future research should focus on precision nanomedicine tailored to colorectal cancer, addressing current limitations to enable safer, more effective, and targeted cancer management.