Application of smart nanoparticles as a potential platform for effective colorectal cancer therapy

• Nanocarriers are promising platforms to improve the therapeutic agents performance. • Tumor microenvironment barriers can be addressed with targeted drug delivery systems. • Optimal therapeutic output can be achieved by targeting surface and intracellular biomarkers of cancer cells and cancer stem cells. • Preclinical models have important roles in choosing suitable platforms for colorectal cancer treatment. Nowadays, nanomedicine has emerged as one of the most interesting fields of biomedical research, combining nanotechnology and medicine to offer a better prospect to design therapeutic agents with improved safety and efficacy for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. A variety of inorganic, organic and hybrid organic–inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties have been introduced in this field. In this review, we focus on applications of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as suitable inorganic nanocarriers in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. Furthermore, we summarize their advantages and disadvantages and review challenges related to use of these nanocarriers in cancer therapy. Then, the most recent theranostic applications of mentioned NPs in singular and combinatorial therapy for CRC are presented to provide a better context for further research in this field. Despite the wide variety of researches done, there are still serious challenges that must be taken into account in the design of true drug delivery systems (DDSs) in order to maximize the therapeutic index. Finally, use of advanced methods such as computational techniques, bioinformatics tools, applying appropriate models, and optimized mapping of treatment can result in an effective model based on nanocarriers for future CRC therapeutics.