Colon-target Nano-in-Micro platform delivering 5-FU in Colorectal cancer

Juliana Viegas – Junior Researcher, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto; Sofia Dias – PhD student, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto; Andréia Meneguin – Professor, São Paulo State University (UNESP); Bruno Sarmento – Professor, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto; Marlus Chorilli – Professor, São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Introduction:

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) still represents one of the most effective chemotherapy drugs used in standard and combined CRC therapy; however, it has limitations associated short half-life and off-target toxicity effects¹. Microencapsulation of nanomedicines has emerged as a promising strategy for targeted delivery of drug to the colon^2,3. We proposed a nano-in-micro system based on 5-FU-loaded liposomes incorporated in retrograded starch and pectin microparticles to promote targeting and increase antitumor efficacy, opening an unprecedented new therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of CRC.