Recent progress of nano-drug delivery systems in gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract

Gastrointestinal cancer is a major cancer type with a high incidence worldwide. In China, most patients with gastrointestinal tumors are diagnosed in the late stage and are unsuitable for surgery. Chemotherapy is the last treatment option for most advanced tumor patients. However, it always leads to severe side effects on the human body. The emergence of nano-carrier-based drug delivery can remarkably increase drug efficiency and avoid severe side effects in cancer patients. This article reviews the therapeutic application of nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) in gastrointestinal tumors in recent years, which is expected to improve the quality of life of advanced cancer patients and help develop more nano-drugs for gastrointestinal cancer patients.