Nanomedicine-Based Therapeutic Approaches in Colorectal Cancer Using Patient-Derived Xenograft Models: Prospects and Challenges

Colorectal cancer is leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies have improved treatment options, effective clinical management remains limited by tumor heterogeneity, resistance to therapy, and metastatic spread. In recent years, nanomedicine has gained attention as an effective strategy to address these challenges by improving drug delivery to tumor sites, enhancing bioavailability, and reducing systemic toxicity. Patient-derived xenograft models have become an important tool in preclinical cancer research because they preserve the histological and genetic characteristics of original human tumors and more closely reflect clinical disease behavior. This review summarizes recent advances in nanomedicine-based approaches for colorectal cancer treatment, with a particular focus on their evaluation using patient-derived xenograft models. A range of nanocarrier systems, including nanoparticles, liposomes, and dendrimers, have been explored for delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, biologics, and small-molecule inhibitors, demonstrating improved tumor targeting and therapeutic potential. Despite these encouraging developments, several challenges remain, including the complexity of tumor microenvironment, variability between patients, and concerns related to safety, scalability, and clinical translation. This review highlights current progress to enable the successful application of nanomedicine-based therapies for colorectal cancer in clinical practice. The infographic illustrates the development of nanomedicine for colorectal cancer. Step 1 shows colorectal cancer development with an image of the colon and tumor cells. Step 2 depicts nanomedicine preparation with nanoparticles. Step 3 shows nanoparticles targeting tumor cells. Step 4 involves isolating tumor cells for the PDX model. Step 5 indicates preclinical testing. Step 6 illustrates the PDX model in mice with tumor cells injected into a mouse. Step 7 lists prospects such as better targeting, reduced toxicity and precision medicine. Step 8 outlines challenges including tumor microenvironment and drug resistance.Colorectal cancer nanomedicine: PDX model, testing, future, challenges.