Background/Objectives: The heterogeneity of cancer disease and the frequent ineffectiveness and resistance observed with currently available treatments highlight the importance of developing new antitumor therapies. The properties of gold nanoparticles, such as their photon-energy heating, are attractive for oncology therapy; this can be effective and localized. The combination of chemotherapy and hyperthermia is promising. Our aim was to evaluate the combination therapy of photon hyperthermia with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: This study evaluated the antitumor efficacy of a combined chemo-photothermal therapy using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and branched gold nanoshells (BGNSs) in a colorectal cancer model. BGNSs were synthesized via a seed-mediated method and characterized by electron microscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy, revealing an average diameter of 126.3 nm and a plasmon resonance peak at 800 nm, suitable for near-infrared (NIR) photothermal applications. In vitro assays using SW620-GFP colon cancer cells demonstrated a ≥90% reduction in cell viability after 24 h of combined treatment with 5-FU and BGNS under NIR irradiation. In vivo, xenograft-bearing nude mice received weekly intratumoral administrations of the combined therapy for four weeks. The group treated with 5-FU + BGNS + NIR exhibited a final tumor volume of 0.4 mm³ on day 28, compared to 1010 mm³ in the control group, corresponding to a tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 100.74% (p < 0.001), which indicates not only complete inhibition of tumor growth but also regression below the initial tumor volume. Thermographic imaging confirmed that localized hyperthermia reached 45 ± 0.5 °C at the tumor site. Results: These findings suggest that the combination of 5-FU and BGNS-mediated hyperthermia may offer a promising strategy for enhancing therapeutic outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer while potentially minimizing systemic toxicity. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of integrating nanotechnology with conventional chemotherapy for more effective and targeted cancer treatment.

This study evaluated the antitumor efficacy of combined chemo photothermal therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and branched gold nanoshells (BGNSs) in a colorectal cancer model. BGNSs were synthesized via a seed-mediated method and characterized via electron microscopy and UV‒vis spectroscopy, revealing an average diameter of 126.3 nm and a plasmon resonance peak at 800 nm, which are suitable for near-infrared (NIR) photothermal applications. In vitro assays using SW620-GFP colon cancer cells demonstrated a ≥90% reduction in cell viability after 24 hours of combined treatment with 5-FU and BGNS under NIR irradiation. In vivo, xenograft-bearing nude mice received weekly intratumoral administrations of the combined therapy for four weeks. The tumor volume was significantly lower in the combination group than in the control and mono-therapy groups, with nearly complete tumor regression observed. Thermographic imaging con-firmed that localized hyperthermia reached 45°C at the tumor site. These findings suggest a strong synergistic effect between 5-FU- and BGNS-mediated hyperthermia, suggesting a promising strategy for enhancing therapeutic outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer while potentially minimizing systemic toxicity. This study highlights the potential of integrating nanotechnology and conventional chemotherapy for more effective and targeted cancer treatment.

Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in the world, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth on the colon mucosa. Treatment approaches depend primarily on the characteristics of the tumor´s localization, size, metastasis, and the health status of the patient. Nanomedicine shows itself as a novelty strategy to overcome the limitations of the therapies used in the clinic due to the disregard of the mechanisms associated with multidrug resistance because of the nanometric size of the particles utilized. Gold nanoshells are spheric structures of an approximate size of 30 nm, coated with an ultrathin gold layer that can absorb near-infrared light and convert it to thermal energy to produce hyperthermia on in vivo models of cancer tumors. Nanoparticles-assisted hyperthermia consists of control, direct, and specific heating against the tumor cells by nanoparticle irradiation with an external power source capable of increasing temperature to 39°C - 45°C without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Compared with other nanomaterials, gold nanoshells show high biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, which is why adjuvant chemotherapy and hyperthermia on gold nanoshells is a novel and promising approach for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

This article examines academia’s role in early-stage drug development, from basic research to industrial application. Through a targeted bibliographic review, it describes strategies such as phenotypic, virtual, and fragment-based screening, rational design, computational modeling, in silico pharmacokinetics, and preclinical testing. The analysis identifies methodological gaps, lack of standardization, and insufficient collaboration with industry as key barriers to translational progress. It concludes that early engagement between academia and industry, along with improved coordination of scientific efforts, is essential to accelerate therapeutic innovation and convert research findings into tangible public health benefits.