Application of colloid-based nanocarriers in cancer diagnosis and treatments

The colloid-based drug delivery method is widely used in various biomedical applications, particularly in cancer treatments. These drug carrier systems can provide controlled reception of a drug at tumor sites, with fewer side effects compared to systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition, colloid-based drug delivery systems are assumed to have better biodegradation, bio-absorption, and biocompatibility with decreased toxicity compared to nanoparticle carriers. These systems, combined with tumor markers, can diagnose various types of cancers and slowly release anticancer drugs with high sensitivity. There are diverse forms of colloid-based drug delivery methods, such as hydrogels, lipids, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, liposomes, microclusters, colloidosomes, and filled oil droplets. Notably, smart hydrogels can respond to environmental changes such as pH, temperature, and ultrasound or light waves for better-controlled drug release. This discussion emphasizes the significance of colloid-based drug delivery, hydrogels, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, bare Pluronic F-127 hydrogel, and DNA poly-aptamer hydrogels as nanocarriers.