Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide and the second deadliest cancer, posing a significant burden on the global healthcare system. The main treatments for CRC include surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, these methods have several limitations, such as invasive administration, poor patient compliance, systemic toxicity, drug resistance, and recurrence rate. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies to overcome these challenges. Oral administration is a promising option in CRC treatment due to its non-invasive nature, safety, ease of self-administration, and high patient compliance. Moreover, when oral treatment is applied in CRC treatment, it can enhance efficacy through local treatment and reduce systemic toxicity. Additionally, the unique pathological and physiological characteristics of CRC, such as overexpression of certain receptors and dysbiosis of the microbiota, provide valuable opportunities for the development of advanced oral therapies. This review focuses on the cutting-edge oral therapies for CRC, including those based on nanomedicine and bacterial regulation strategies. These methods show significant potential in improving treatment efficacy and can be combined with existing treatment approaches to enhance efficacy and reduce adverse reactions. Furthermore, we also provide critical viewpoints on the challenges and future prospects of these strategies in CRC management. This review aims to offer novel insights into the design and development of oral therapies and pave the way for more effective and patient-friendly treatment of colorectal cancer. This study was published under the title "Advanced oral therapies for colorectal cancer via nanomedicine and microbiota modulation" in Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115741