The recent developments in epigenetics have shown a very important role of epigenetic changes in cancer initiation, development, and progression. Some of the important histone modifications shown to occur are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, citrullination, sumoylation, ADP ribosylation, deamination, ubiquitination, formylation, O-GlcNAcylation, propionylation, butyrylation, proline isomerization, and crotonylation, but most of the studies in the past had limited their interest mainly on histone methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation. Modification of DNA strands by hypermethylation and hypomethylation regulates genomic instability and promotes cancer. Colorectal cancer involves multiple changes in epigenetic marks present on histone residues and DNA, which in collaboration with genetic changes, leads to cancer progression. In this review paper, basic concepts of epigenetics relevant to cancer development are discussed, followed by its significance in understanding the mechanism of colon carcinogenesis. Some of the epigenetic target-based drugs are also discussed in the relevant sections to give an idea of the potential promises of epigenetics for colorectal cancer treatment.

Cancer remains a major global health concern, and thus, there is a growing demand for efficient and selective therapies with low systemic toxicity. Natural bioactive compounds have emerged as promising alternatives, and terpenoids have shown notable anticancer properties. They exert antiproliferative, proapoptotic, anti-invasive, and antimetastatic effects through the regulation of multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways, including modulation of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis, and inhibition of tumor-promoting inflammation. However, their clinical translation is constrained by poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, rapid systemic clearance, and inadequate tumor accumulation. Recent advances in nanotechnology offer strategies to overcome these limitations. Nanocarrier-based systems improve the solubility, stability, and pharmacokinetics of terpenoids, while enabling tumor-targeted delivery and controlled release. Various strategies, such as enhanced permeability and retention effect, ligand-mediated active targeting, and stimuli-responsive release have been used to achieve selective tumor accumulation and improved therapeutic outcomes. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of nanoformulated terpenoids in cancer with a special emphasis on their therapeutic applications and mechanisms of action. Preclinical studies demonstrate that nanocarrier-loaded terpenoids significantly increase bioavailability, enhance apoptosis, and suppress tumor angiogenesis compared with free terpenoids. The incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning further holds promise for the rational design of nanomedicines, accelerating their path toward clinical translation. Collectively, these developments position nanoformulated terpenoids as a powerful platform in precision oncology with strong potential for future application in cancer therapy.

Advances in the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine have resulted in the development of novel diagnosis and potential treatment for different types of diseases, including brain cancer. Nanomaterials are smaller in size, having a higher area to volume ratio, and can be conjugated with other molecules. Nanomaterials are excellent transport vehicles that can easily cross the extracellular matrix, cell membrane, and by crossing the blood-brain barrier, they can deliver the drugs to the remote and inaccessible internal parts of the brain. A nanorobot is a device that ranges in size from 0.1-10 micrometer and resembles in size to a red blood cell. Nanorobot is a smart robot that can patrol the bloodstream, recognize the specific target, and can release a tiny but deadly cargo of drugs or nanoparticles to kill the cancer cells. With the multidisciplinary approach of biotechnology, molecular biology, electronics, bioinformatics-based computer simulation, and molecular medicine, a self-sufficient nanodevice can be developed for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. This review article discusses the current applications and future promises of nanorobots in brain cancer therapy.