# Recent Advances in Improved Anticancer Efficacies of Camptothecin Nano-Formulations: A Systematic Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how nano-formulations of Camptothecin improve its anticancer effectiveness by overcoming its solubility and stability issues.

## Contribution

The paper systematically evaluates the enhanced antitumor activity of Camptothecin nano-formulations compared to free CPT.

## Key findings

- CPT nano-formulations show higher antitumor activity than free CPT in various cancers.
- Nano-formulations improve CPT's solubility and bioavailability, enhancing its therapeutic potential.
- The study supports the clinical application of CPT nano-formulations for future cancer treatments.

## Abstract

Camptothecin (CPT), a natural plant alkaloid, has indicated potent antitumor activities via targeting intracellular topoisomerase I. The promise that CPT holds in therapies is restricted through factors that include lactone ring instability and water insolubility, which limits the drug oral solubility and bioavailability in blood plasma. Novel strategies involving CPT pharmacological and low doses combined with nanoparticles have indicated potent anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the anticancer ability of nano-CPT in various cancers as a novel and more efficient natural compound for drug development. Studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Eligibility checks were performed based on predefined selection criteria. Eighty-two papers were included in this systematic review. There was strong evidence for the association between antitumor activity and CPT treatment. Furthermore, studies indicated that CPT nano-formulations have higher antitumor activity in comparison to free CPT, which results in enhanced efficacy for cancer treatment. The results of our study indicate that CPT nano-formulations are a potent candidate for cancer treatment and may provide further support for the clinical application of natural antitumor agents with passive targeting of tumors in the future.