A PhD candidate at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan is researching a new approach to cancer treatment that could deliver medication directly to tumors, potentially reducing damage to healthy cells.

Sanazar Kadyr said that his research focuses on improving the effectiveness of treatment for colorectal and other intestinal cancers, Qazinform News Agency reports.

Chemotherapy remains one of the most widely used methods of cancer treatment. However, many chemotherapy drugs affect both malignant and healthy cells, which can cause significant side effects. Researchers are therefore exploring targeted drug delivery systems designed to concentrate medication at the tumor site.

Kadyr’s research uses nanoparticles to deliver a therapeutic drug directly to the affected area. The medication is incorporated into a special formulation that remains liquid at room temperature but transforms into a gel inside the body.

At body temperature, the substance turns into a gel and remains in the intestine for a certain period, allowing the drug to act locally on the tumor, the researcher said.

The approach is designed to improve the precision of drug delivery and potentially limit the impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

The project is still in its early stages. The research team is testing the drug delivery system on cancer cells derived from intestinal and colon tissue to assess its effects.

The next phase is expected to involve animal testing, specifically in mice. Depending on the results, the research could eventually progress to clinical studies involving humans.

Kadyr stressed that it is too early to consider the method a ready-to-use treatment or an alternative to conventional chemotherapy.

However, if further research establishes its safety and effectiveness, the technology could open new possibilities for targeted cancer treatment.

The young scientist plans to broaden his research in the future, including the development of potential treatments for ovarian cancer and other malignant tumors of the digestive system.

Developing a new cancer therapy requires years of research and several stages of testing. The next phases of Kadyr’s project will help determine whether the proposed drug delivery system can safely and effectively advance toward clinical use.

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women in some reported populations, while other research has examined why cancer rates tend to be higher among men. Advances in targeted drug delivery are part of broader efforts to improve cancer treatment while limiting harm to healthy tissues.